The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Hebrews 11
1 Now faith is assurance of things hoped
for, proof of things not seen.
2 For by this, the elders obtained approval.
3 By faith we understand that the universe
has been framed by the word of God,
so that what is seen has not been made out
of things which are visible
4 By faith Abel offered to God a more
excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which
he had testimony given to him that he was
righteous, God testifying with respect to
his gifts; and through it he, being dead,
still speaks.
5 By faith Enoch was taken away, so that
he wouldn’t see death, and he was not
found, because God translated him. For he
has had testimony given to him that before
his translation he had been well pleasing
to God.
6 With out faith it is impossible to be well
pleasing to him, for he who comes to God
must believe that he exists, and that he is a
rewarder of those who seek him.
7 By faith Noah, being warned about
things not yet seen, moved with godly
fear,† prepared a ship for the saving of his
house, through which he condemned the
world and became heir of the righteousness
which is according to faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called,
obeyed to go out to the place which he was
to receive for an inheritance. He went out,
not knowing where he went.
9 By faith he lived as an alien in the
land of promise, as in a land not his own,
dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the
heirs with him of the same promise.
10 For he was looking for the city which
has foundations, whosebuilder andmaker
is God.
11 By faith even Sarah herself received
power to conceive, and she bore a child
when she was past age, since she counted
him faithful who had promised.
12 Therefore as many as the stars of the
sky in multitude, and as innumerable as
the sand which is by the sea shore, were
fathered by one man, and him as good as
dead.
13 These all died in faith, not having
received the promises, but having seen‡
them and embraced them from afar, and
having confessed that they were strangers
and pilgrims on the earth.
14 For those who say such things make
it clear that they are seeking a country of
their own.
15 If indeed they had been thinking of
that country from which they went out,
they would have had enough time to return.
16 But now they desire a better country,
that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is
not ashamed of them, to be called their
God, for he has prepared a city for them.
17 By faith, Abraham, being tested, offered up
Isaac. Yes, he who had gladly received
the promises was offering up his
only born§ son,
18 to whom it was said, “Your offspring
will be accounted as from Isaac,” *
19 concluding that God is able to raise up
even from the dead. Figuratively speaking,
he also did receive him back from the
dead.
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau,
even concerning things to come.
21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying,
blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and
worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.
22 By faith Joseph, when his end was
near, made mention of the departure of
the children of Israel, and gave instructions
concerning his bones.
23 By faithMoses, whenhe was born, was
hidden for three months by his parents,
because they saw that he was a beautiful
child; andthey werenot afraidofthe king’s
commandment.
24 By faith Moses, when he had grown
up, refused to be called the son of
Pharaoh’s daughter,
25 choosing rather to share ill treatment
with God’s people than to enjoy the
pleasures of sin for a time,
26 considering the reproach of Christ
greater riches than the treasures of Egypt;
for he looked to the reward.
27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the
wrathofthe king;forhe endured, as seeing
him who is invisible.
28 By faith he kept the Passover and the
sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer
of the firstborn should not touch them.
29 By faith they passed through the Red
Sea as on dry land. When the Egyptians
tried to do so, they were swallowed up.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down
after they had been encircled for seven
days.
31 By faith Rahab the prostitute didn’t
perish with those who were disobedient,
having received the spies in peace.
32 What more shall I say? For the time
would fail me if I told of Gideon, Barak,
Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the
prophets—
33 who through faith subdued kingdoms,
worked out righteousness, obtained
promises, stopped the mouths of lions,*
34 quenched the power of fire,* escaped
the edge of the sword,* from weakness
were made strong, grew mighty in war,
and caused foreign armies to flee.
35 Women received their dead by resurrection.
* Others were tortured, not accepting
their deliverance, that they might
obtain a better resurrection.
36 Others were tried by mocking and
scourging, yes, moreover by bonds and
imprisonment.
37 They were stoned.* They were sawn
apart. They were tempted. They were
slain with the sword.* They went around
in sheep skins and in goat skins; being
destitute, afflicted, ill-treated—
38 of whom the world was not worthy—
wandering in deserts, mountains, caves,
and the holes of the earth.
39 These all, having beencommended for
their faith, didn’t receive the promise,
40 God having provided some better
thing concerning us, so that apart from us
they should not be made perfect.