HEBREWS CHAPTER XI.

[ 1 The nature of faith. 6 Without faith we cannot please God: the fruits of faith.] 

NOW faith is the substance of things hoped for, 
the evidence of things not seen:
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds 
were framed by the word of God, so that things which 
are seen were not made of things which do appear. 
4 By faith Abel offered unto God a  more excellent
sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness
that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and 
by it he being dead yet speaketh. 
5 By faith Enoch was translated, that he should 
not see death; and was not found, because God had 
translated him: for before his translation he had
this testimony, that he pleased God. 
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him:
for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and 
that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 
7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things 
not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to
the saving of his house; by the which he condemned 
the world, and became heir of the righteousness 
which is by faith. 
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go 
out into a place which he should after receive for an 
inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not-knowing 
whither he went. 
9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in
a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac
and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, 
whose builder and maker is God. 
11 Through faith also Sara herself received 
strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a 
child when she was past age, because she judged 
him faithful who had promised. 
12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him 
as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in 
multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea-shore
innumerable.
13 These all died in faith, not having received 
the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were
persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed 
that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 
14  For they that say such things declare plainly
that they seek a country. 
15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that 
country from whence they came out, they might have 
had opportunity to have returned. 
16 But now they desire a better country, that is, 
an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be 
called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. 
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered 
up Isaac: and he that had received the promises 
offered up his only-begotten son, 
18 Of whom it was said, 'That in Isaac shall thy 
seed be called:
19 Accounting that God was able to raise him
up, even from the dead; from whence also he received 
him in a figure. 
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning 
things to come. 
21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed 
both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning
upon the top of his staff. 
22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention 
of the departing of his children of Israel; and gave 
commandment concerning his bones. 
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid
three months of his parents, because they saw he was 
a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's 
commandment. 
24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years,
refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 
25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people
of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater 
riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect 
unto the recompense of the reward. 
27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the 
wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him 
who is invisible. 
28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the 
sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn 
should touch them. 
29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as 
by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do 
were drowned. 
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after 
they were compassed about seven days. 
31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with 
them that believed not, when she had received 
the spies with peace. 
32 And what shall I more say? for the time 
would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and 
of Samson, and of Jepthae, of David also, and 
Samuel, and of the prophets:
33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought
righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths 
of lions. 
34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the 
edge of the sword, out of weakness were made 
strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the 
armies of the aliens. 
35 Women received their dead raised to life again:
and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance;
that they might obtain a better resurrection:
36 And others had trial of cruel mocking and 
scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, 
were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered 
about in sheep-skins and goat-skins; being 
destitute, afflicted, tormented;
38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they 
wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens
and caves of the earth. 
39 And these all, having obtained a good report
through faith, received not the promise:
40 God having provided some better thing for us, 
that they without us should not be made perfect.