11:1  Now faith proves the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

11:2  For by it the men of old gained approval.

11:3  By faith we understand that the worlds received preparations by the word of God, so that what we see did not appear out of things which have visibility.

11:4  By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he acted righteously, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he has died, he still speaks.

11:5  By faith God took Enoch up so that he would not see death; AND NO ONE COULD FIND HIM BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before God took him up He found Enoch pleasing.

11:6  And without faith one finds it impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.

11:7  By faith Noah, when God warned him about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which proves according to faith.

11:8  By faith Abraham, when God called him, obeyed by going out to a place which he would receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where God planned to lead him.

11:9  By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise;

11:10  for he looked for the city which has foundations, which God planned and built.

11:11  By faith Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised.

11:12  Therefore there became born even of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants AS THE STARS OF HEAVEN IN NUMBER, AND INNUMERABLE AS THE SAND WHICH EXIST BY THE SEASHORE.

11:13  All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they considered themselves strangers and exiles on the earth.

11:14  For those who say such things make it clear that they seek a country of their own.

11:15  And indeed if they had thought of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return.

11:16  But as it turned out, they desire a better country, namely, a heavenly one. Therefore God does not feel ashamed to serve as their God; for He has prepared a city for them.

11:17  By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son;

11:18  God said of Abraham, "IN ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL RECEIVE THEIR CALLING."

11:19  He considered that God can raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back as a type.

11:20  By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come.

11:21  By faith Jacob, as he died, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.

11:22   By faith Joseph, before he died, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.

11:23  By faith Moses, when he entered the world, remained hidden for three months by his parents, because he appeared a beautiful child; and they did not fear the king's edict.

11:24  By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused people to call him the son of Pharaoh's daughter,

11:25  choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,

11:26  considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the reward.

11:27  By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who remains unseen.

11:28  By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them.

11:29  By faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they passed through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, drowned.

11:30  By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after Joshua had encircled it for seven days.

11:31  By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who disobeyed, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.

11:32  And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets,

11:33  who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions,

11:34  quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness received strength, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.

11:35  Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others endured torture, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection;

11:36  and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment.

11:37  They suffered stoning, their torturers sawed them in two, they endured temptation, they endured death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, having become destitute, afflicted, ill-treated

11:38  (men of whom the world did not deserve), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.

11:39  And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive their promises,

11:40  because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not receive perfecting.