Triumph
of Faith
Hebrews
11;1-39
The
Triumphs of Faith
1 Now
faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not
seen. 2 For
by it the men of old gained approval.
3 By faith we
understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is
seen was not made out of things which are visible. 4 By faith
Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the
testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith,
though he is dead, he still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch
was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because God
took him up; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was
pleasing to God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him,
for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a
rewarder of those who seek Him. 7 By faith Noah,
being warned by God 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 is according to faith.
8 By faith
Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to
receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. 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; 10 for he was looking for the city which has
foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11 By faith
even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of
life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore
there was 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 is by the seashore.
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 were strangers and exiles on
the earth. 14 For those who say such things make it clear that they
are seeking a country of their own. 15 And indeed if they had been
thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity
to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country,
that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God;
for He has prepared a city for them.
17 By faith
Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the
promises was offering up his only begotten son; 18 it was
he to whom it was said, “In Isaac your descendants shall be called.” 19 He
considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead, from
which he also received him back as a type. 20 By faith
Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come. 21 By faith
Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning
on the top of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, when he
was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders
concerning his bones.
23 By faith Moses,
when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw
he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. 24 By
faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son
of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to endure ill-treatment
with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 considering
the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was
looking to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not
fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen. 28 By
faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so
that he who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them. 29 By faith
they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry
land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned.
30 By faith the
walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By
faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were
disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.
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, 33 who by faith
conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises,
shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped
the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war,
put foreign armies to flight. 35 Women received back their
dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so
that they might obtain a better resurrection; 36 and others
experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. 37 They
were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death
with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute,
afflicted, ill-treated 38 (men of whom the world was not
worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.
39 And all these, having gained
approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40 because
God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not
be made perfect.