Hebrews 11:1-27
Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.For by this our ancestors were approved.By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was approved as a righteous man, because God approved his gifts, and even though he is dead, he still speaks through his faith.By faith Enoch was taken away, and so he did not experience death. He was not to be found because God took him away. For before he was taken away, he was approved as one who pleased God.Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.By faith Noah, after he was warned about what was not yet seen and motivated by godly fear, built an ark to deliver his family. By faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and set out for a place that he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out, even though he did not know where he was going.By faith he stayed as a foreigner in the land of promise, living in tents as did Isaac and Jacob, coheirs of the same promise.For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.By faith even Sarah herself, when she was unable to have children, received power to conceive offspring, even though she was past the age, since she considered that the one who had promised was faithful.Therefore, from one man— in fact, from one as good as dead— came offspring as numerous as the stars of the sky and as innumerable as the grains of sand along the seashore.These all died in faith, although they had not received the things that were promised. But they saw them from a distance, greeted them, and confessed that they were foreigners and temporary residents on the earth.Now those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.If they were thinking about where they came from, they would have had an opportunity to return.But they now desire a better place— a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. He received the promises and yet he was offering his one and only son,the one to whom it had been said, Your offspring will be traced through Isaac.He considered God to be able even to raise someone from the dead; therefore, he received him back, figuratively speaking.By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and he worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.By faith Joseph, as he was nearing the end of his life, mentioned the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions concerning his bones.By faith Moses, after he was born, was hidden by his parents for three months, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they didn’t fear the king’s edict.By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughterand chose to suffer with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasure of sin.For he considered reproach for the sake of Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, since he was looking ahead to the reward.By faith he left Egypt behind, not being afraid of the king’s anger, for Moses persevered as one who sees him who is invisible.
