Now faith is the ^aassurance (title deed, confirmation) of things ^bhoped for (divinely guaranteed) , and the evidence of ^cthings not seen the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses. 2 For by this kind of faith the ^1amen of old ^bgained divine approval.

3 By faith that is, with an inherent trust and enduring confidence in the power, wisdom and goodness of God we understand that the ^aworlds (universe, ages) were framed and created formed, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose ^bby the word of God, so that what is seen ^cwas not made out of things which are visible. 4 By faith ^aAbel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which it was ^btestified of him that he was righteous (upright, in right standing with God) , and God testified by accepting his ^cgifts. And though ^dhe died, yet through this act of faith he still speaks. Gen 4:3-10 5 By faith that pleased God ^aEnoch was caught up and taken to heaven so that he would not ^bhave a glimpse of death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD HAD TAKEN HIM; for even before he was taken to heaven, he received the testimony still on record that he had walked with God and pleased Him. Gen 5:21-24 6 But without faith it is impossible to walk with God and please Him, for whoever ^acomes near to God must necessarily believe that God exists and that He rewards those who earnestly and diligently seek Him. 7 By faith with confidence in God and His word ^aNoah, being ^bwarned by God about ^cevents not yet seen, in ^dreverence ^eprepared an ark for the salvation of his family. By this act of obedience he condemned the world and became an heir of ^fthe righteousness which comes by faith. Gen 6:13-22

8 By faith ^aAbraham, when he was called by God, obeyed by going to a place which he was to ^breceive as an inheritance; and he went, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he lived as a foreigner in ^athe promised land, as in a strange land, ^bliving in tents as nomads with Isaac and Jacob, who were ^cfellow heirs of the same promise. Gen 12:1-8 10 For he was waiting expectantly and confidently looking forward to ^athe city which has ^bfoundations, an eternal, heavenly city ^cwhose architect and builder is God. 11 By faith even ^aSarah herself received the ability to conceive a child, even when she was long past the normal age for it, because she considered Him who had given her the promise to be ^breliable and true to His word. Gen 17:19; 18:11-14; 21:2 12 So from one man, though ^ahe was physically as good as dead, were born as many descendants ^bAS THE STARS OF HEAVEN IN NUMBER, AND INNUMERABLE AS THE SAND ON THE SEASHORE. Gen 15:5, 6; 22:17; 32:12

13 ^aAll these died in faith guided and sustained by it, ^bwithout receiving the tangible fulfillment of God’s promises, only ^chaving seen (anticipated) them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having ^dacknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. Gen 23:4; Ps 39:12 14 Now those who say such things make it clear that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 And if they had been thinking of that country from which they departed as their true home, ^athey would have had a continuing opportunity to return. 16 But the truth is that they were longing for a better country, that is, a ^aheavenly one. For that reason ^bGod is not ashamed of them or to be ^ccalled their God even to be surnamed their God—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; for ^dHe has prepared a city for them. Ex 3:6, 15; 4:5

17 By faith ^aAbraham, when he was tested that is, as the testing of his faith was still in progress, ¹offered up Isaac, and he who had ^breceived the promises of God was ready to sacrifice his only son of promise; Gen 22:1-10 18 to whom it was said, “^aTHROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS SHALL BE CALLED.” Gen 21:12 19 For he considered it reasonable to believe that ^aGod was able to raise Isaac even from among the dead. Indeed, in the sense that he was prepared to sacrifice Isaac in obedience to God Abraham did receive him back from the dead ^bfiguratively speaking. 20 By faith ^aIsaac blessed Jacob and Esau believing what God revealed to him, even regarding things to come. Gen 27:27-29, 39, 40 21 By faith ^aJacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and ^bbowed in worship, leaning on the top of his staff. Gen 48 22 By faith ^aJoseph, when he was dying, referred to the promise of God for the exodus of the sons of Israel from Egypt, and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones in the land of the promise. Gen 50:24, 25; Ex 13:19

23 By faith ^aMoses, after his birth, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful and divinely favored child; and they were not afraid of the ^bking’s (Pharaoh’s) decree. Ex 1:22; 2:2; Acts 7:20 24 By faith Moses, ^awhen he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, Ex 2:10, 15 25 because he preferred to ^aendure the hardship of the people of God rather than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin. 26 ^aHe considered the reproach of the ¹Christ that is, the rebuke he would suffer for his faithful obedience to God to be greater wealth than all the treasures of Egypt; for he looked ahead to the ^breward promised by God. 27 By faith he ^aleft Egypt, being ^bunafraid of the wrath of the king; for he endured steadfastly, as ^cseeing Him who is unseen. Ex 2:15 28 By faith he ^akept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood on the doorposts, so that ^bthe destroyer of the firstborn would not touch them (the firstborn of Israel) . Ex 12:21-30 29 By faith the people of Israel ^acrossed the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land; but when the Egyptians attempted it they were drowned. Ex 14:21-31

30 By faith ^athe walls of Jericho fell down ^bafter they had been encircled for seven days by Joshua and the sons of Israel. Josh 6:12-21 31 By faith ^aRahab the prostitute was not destroyed along with those who were disobedient, because she had welcomed the spies sent by the sons of Israel in peace. Josh 2:1-21; 6:22-25

32 And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of ^aGideon, ^bBarak, ^cSamson, ^dJephthah, of ^eDavid and ^fSamuel and the prophets, Judg 4; 5; 6-8; 11; 12; 13-16; 1+@Sam 1-30; 2+@Sam 1-24; 1+@Kin 1; 2; Acts 3:24 33 who by faith that is, with an enduring trust in God and His promises ^asubdued kingdoms, ^badministered justice, ^cobtained promised blessings, ^dclosed the mouths of lions, Dan 6 34 ^aextinguished the power of raging fire, ^bescaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, ^cbecame mighty and unbeatable in battle, ^dputting enemy forces to flight. Dan 3 35 ^aWomen received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured to death, refusing to accept release offered on the condition of denying their faith, so that they would be resurrected to a better life; 1+@Kin 17:17-24; 2+@Kin 4:25-37 36 and others experienced the trial of mocking and scourging amid torture, and even ^achains and imprisonment. 37 They were ^astoned to death, they were ^bsawn in two, they were lured with tempting offers to renounce their faith, they were ^cput to death by the sword; they went about wrapped ^din the skins of sheep and goats, utterly destitute, oppressed, ^ecruelly treated 38 (people of whom the world was not worthy), ^awandering in deserts and mountains and living in caves and holes in the ground.

39 And all of these, though they ^agained divine approval through their faith, ^bdid not receive the fulfillment of what was promised, 40 because God had us in mind and had ^asomething better for us, so that they these men and women of authentic faith would not be made perfect that is, completed in Him ^bapart from us.

Now faith is the ^1aassurance of things ^2bhoped for, the ³conviction of ^cthings not seen. 2 For by it the ^amen of old ^1bgained approval.

3 By faith we understand that the ^1aworlds were prepared ^bby the word of God, so that what is seen ^cwas not made out of things which are visible. 4 By faith ^aAbel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he ^bobtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying ¹about his ^cgifts, and through ²faith, though ^dhe is dead, he still speaks. 5 By faith ^aEnoch was taken up so that he would not ^bsee 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 ^acomes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. 7 By faith ^aNoah, being ^bwarned by God about ^cthings not yet seen, ^1din reverence ^eprepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of ^fthe righteousness which is according to faith.

8 By faith ^aAbraham, when he was called, obeyed ¹by going out to a place which he was to ^breceive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he lived as an alien in ^athe land of promise, as in a foreign land, ^bdwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, ^cfellow heirs of the same promise; 10 for he was looking for ^athe city which has ^bfoundations, ^cwhose architect and builder is God. 11 By faith even ^aSarah herself received ¹ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him ^bfaithful who had promised. 12 Therefore there was born even of one man, and ^ahim as good as dead ¹at that, as many descendants ^bAS THE STARS OF HEAVEN IN NUMBER, AND INNUMERABLE AS THE SAND WHICH IS BY THE SEASHORE.

13 ^aAll these died in faith, ^bwithout receiving the promises, but ^chaving seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and ^dhaving 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 ¹thinking of that country from which they went out, ^athey would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a ^aheavenly one. Therefore ^bGod is not ¹ashamed to be ^ccalled their God; for ^dHe has prepared a city for them.

17 By faith ^aAbraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had ^breceived the promises was offering up his only begotten son; 18 it was he to whom it was said, “^aIN ISAAC YOUR ¹DESCENDANTS SHALL BE CALLED.” 19 ¹He considered that ^aGod is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back ²as a ^btype. 20 By faith ^aIsaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come. 21 By faith ^aJacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and ^bworshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. 22 By faith ^aJoseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.

23 By faith ^aMoses, 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 ^bking’s edict. 24 By faith Moses, ^awhen he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to ^aendure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 ^aconsidering the reproach of ¹Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the ^breward. 27 By faith he ^aleft Egypt, not ^bfearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as ^cseeing Him who is unseen. 28 By faith he ^1akept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that ^bhe who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them. 29 By faith they ^apassed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were ¹drowned.

30 By faith ^athe walls of Jericho fell down ^bafter they had been encircled for seven days. 31 By faith ^aRahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies ¹in peace.

32 And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of ^aGideon, ^bBarak, ^cSamson, ^dJephthah, of ^eDavid and ^fSamuel and the prophets, 33 who by faith ^aconquered kingdoms, ^bperformed acts of righteousness, ^cobtained promises, ^dshut the mouths of lions, 34 ^aquenched the power of fire, ^bescaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, ^cbecame mighty in war, ^dput foreign armies to flight. 35 ^aWomen received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their ¹release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; 36 and others ¹experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also ^achains and imprisonment. 37 They were ^astoned, they were ^bsawn in two, ¹they were tempted, they were ^cput to death with the sword; they went about ^din sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ^eill-treated 38 (men of whom the world was not worthy), ^awandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes ¹in the ground.

39 And all these, having ^1agained approval through their faith, ^bdid not receive ²what was promised, 40 because God had ¹provided ^asomething better for us, so that ^bapart from us they would not be made perfect.

Now faith is the ^acertainty of things ^1bhoped for, a ²proof of ^cthings not seen. 2 For by it the ^apeople of old ^1bgained approval.

3 By faith we understand that the ^1aworld has been created ^bby the word of God so that what is seen ^chas not been made out of things that are visible. 4 By faith ^aAbel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was ^battested to be righteous, God testifying ¹about his ^cgifts, and through ²faith, though ^dhe is dead, he still speaks. 5 By faith ^aEnoch was taken up so that he would not ^bsee death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for before he was taken up, he was attested to have been pleasing to God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who ^acomes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him. 7 By faith ^aNoah, being ^bwarned by God about ^cthings not yet seen, ^1din reverence ^eprepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of ^fthe righteousness which is according to faith.

8 By faith ^aAbraham, when he was called, obeyed ¹by going out to a place which he was to ^breceive for an inheritance; and he left, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he lived as a stranger in ^athe land of promise, as in a foreign land, ^bliving in tents with Isaac and Jacob, ^cfellow heirs of the same promise; 10 for he was looking for ^athe city which has ^bfoundations, ^cwhose architect and builder is God. 11 By faith even ^aSarah herself received ¹ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him ^bfaithful who had promised. 12 Therefore even from one man, and ^aone who was as good as dead ¹at that, there were born descendants who were ^bjust as the stars of heaven in number, and as the innumerable grains of sand along the seashore.

13 ^aAll these died in faith, ^bwithout receiving the promises, but ^chaving seen and welcomed them from a distance, and ^dhaving 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 ¹thinking of that country which they left, ^athey would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a ^aheavenly one. Therefore ^bGod is not ¹ashamed to be ^ccalled their God; for ^dHe has prepared a city for them.

17 By faith ^aAbraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and the one who had ^breceived the promises was offering up his ¹only son; 18 it was he to whom it was said, “^aTHROUGH ISAAC YOUR ¹DESCENDANTS SHALL BE NAMED.” 19 ¹He considered that ^aGod is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back ²as a ^3btype. 20 By faith ^aIsaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come. 21 By faith ^aJacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and ^bworshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. 22 By faith ^aJoseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.

23 By faith ^aMoses, 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 ^bking’s edict. 24 By faith Moses, ^awhen he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to ^aendure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the temporary pleasures of sin, 26 ^aconsidering the ¹reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the ^breward. 27 By faith he ^aleft Egypt, not ^bfearing the wrath of the king; for he persevered, as though ^cseeing Him who is unseen. 28 By faith he ^1akept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that ^bthe destroyer of the firstborn would not touch them. 29 By faith they ^apassed through the Red Sea as through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were ¹drowned.

30 By faith ^athe walls of Jericho fell down ^1bafter the Israelites had marched around them for seven days. 31 By faith the prostitute ^aRahab did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies ¹in peace.

32 And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of ^aGideon, ^bBarak, ^cSamson, ^dJephthah, of ^eDavid and ^fSamuel and the prophets, 33 who by faith ^aconquered kingdoms, ^bperformed acts of righteousness, ^cobtained promises, ^dshut the mouths of lions, 34 ^aquenched the power of fire, ^bescaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, ^cbecame mighty in war, ^dput foreign armies to flight. 35 ^aWomen received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their ¹release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; 36 and others ¹experienced mocking and flogging, and further, ^achains and imprisonment. 37 They were ^astoned, they were sawn in two, ¹they were tempted, they were ^bput to death with the sword; they went about ^cin sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ^dtormented 38 (people of whom the world was not worthy), ^awandering in deserts, on mountains, and sheltering in caves and holes ¹in the ground.

39 And all these, having ^agained approval through their faith, ^bdid not receive ¹what was promised, 40 because God had ¹provided ^asomething better for us, so that ^bapart from us they would not be made perfect.