Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence
of things not seen.
For by it the elders obtained a good report.
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.
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.
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.
Good.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
For they that say such things declare plainly
that they seek a country.
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.
By faith Abraham, when he was tried,
offered up Isaac: and he that had received
the promises offered up his only begotten son,
of whom it was said, That in Isaac
shall thy seed be called: accounting that God was
able to raise him up, even from the dead;
from whence also he received him in a figure.
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.
By faith Moses, when he was come to years,
refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
choosing rather to suffer affliction
with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin
for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ
greater riches than the treasures in Egypt:
for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down,
after they were compassed about seven days.
And what shall I more say?
Women received their dead raised to life again:
and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance;
that they might obtain a better resurrection:
and others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea,
moreover of bonds and imprisonment.
And these all, having obtained a good report through faith,
received not the promise: God having provided some better
thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.