NOW faith is the realizing confidence of the things hoped for, and the
demonstration of things unseen: (2)for thereby the ancients obtained a
testimony of approbation.
(3)By faith we understand that the worlds were exactly formed by the
word of God, so that the visible objects were not made out of things
which now appear.
(4)By faith Abel offered unto God a sacrifice of more excellence than
Cain, by which he received a testimony that he was a righteous man, God
bearing witness upon his gifts: and by this, though dead, he still
speaketh.
(5)By faith Enoch was translated, so as not to see death; and was not
found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he
was recorded to have been acceptable to God. (6)But without faith it is
impossible to be acceptable; for he must believe, who cometh unto God,
that he exists, and is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.
(7)By faith Noah, being divinely warned respecting things not yet seen,
filled with reverential awe, prepared an ark for the salvation of his
household, by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the
righteousness which is by faith.
(8)By faith Abraham, called to go forth unto a place which he should in
future obtain as an heritage, obeyed; and he went forth, not knowing
whither he was going. (9)By faith he sojourned in the land of promise,
as a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the co-heirs
of the same promise. (10)For he expected a city having foundations, of
which God is the planner and architect.
(11)By faith also that very Sarah, who was barren, received ability for
the conception of seed, and past the usual time of life brought forth a
child, because she accounted that he who promised it, would be true to
his promise. (12)Wherefore even from one person, and he become dead in
respect to these matters, there sprang a race, as the stars of heaven
for multitude, and as the sand, which is on the shore of the sea,
innumerable. (13)All these died in faith, not having received the
promises, but beholding them at a great distance, though believing and
embracing them, and confessing that they were strangers and sojourners
in the land. (14)Now they who speak thus, shew evidently that they are
in earnest search of their native country. (15)And if indeed they had
fixed their minds on that from whence they had gone forth, they might
have had opportunity to go back to it again. (16)But now their longing
desires are after a better country, that is, the heavenly one:
wherefore God is not ashamed of them to be called their God: for he
hath prepared a city for them.
(17)By faith Abraham, when tried, offered up Isaac; and he who had
received the promise, presented in sacrifice his only begotten son,
(18)unto whom it had been said, "That by Isaac shall there be a seed
bearing thy name[140]:" (19)reasoning that God was able to raise him up
again, even from the dead; from whence also figuratively he had
received him.
(20)By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau with regard to future things.
(21)By faith, dying Jacob blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and bowed
down in adoration upon the top of his staff.
(22)By faith Joseph, approaching his end, made mention of the children
of Israel's departure thence; and gave a charge respecting his bones.
(23)By faith Moses, after he was born, was hid three months by his
parents, because they saw the child singularly beautiful; and they were
not intimidated by the command of the king.
(24)By faith Moses, when he became a grown man, refused to be called
the son of Pharaoh's daughter; (25)choosing rather to suffer
afflictions with the people of God, than to have a temporary fruition
of sin; (26)esteeming the reproach of Christ riches greater than the
treasures of Egypt: for he looked earnestly to the recompence of
reward. (27)By faith he forsook Egypt, not intimidated by the wrath of
the king: for he boldly persisted, as seeing the invisible _Jehovah_.
(28)By faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of the blood,
that the destroyer of the first-born might not touch them.
(29)By faith they passed through the Red sea, as on dry ground; which
the Egyptians attempting to do were swallowed up.
(30)By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after being circled round seven
days.
(31)By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with those who were
infidels, having received the spies in peace.
(32)And what more shall I say: for the time would fail me if I should
make a narration concerning Gideon, and Barac, and Sampson, and
Jephtha, and David, and Samuel, and the prophets: (33)who by faith
vanquished kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped
the mouths of lions, (34)extinguished the force of fire, escaped the
edge of the sword, they were made strong out of weakness, became mighty
in battle, routed the armies of aliens. (35)Women received by a
resurrection their dead: but others were tortured, not accepting a
release; that they might obtain a better resurrection: (36)and others
had trials of mockeries and whippings, yea and farther of chains and
imprisonment: (37)they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they
experienced the severest trials, they were slain by the edge of the
sword: they went about wrapped in skins of sheep and goats, destitute
of all things, pressed down with afflictions, suffering all kind of
misery; (38)of whom the world was not worthy: they wandered up and down
in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens, and caverns of the earth.
(39)And these all though having obtained a testimony by faith, received
not the promise: (40)God having provided for us something better, that
without us they should not attain to perfection.