1Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2For by it the men of old obtained approval. 3Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were made of things which do not appear. 4By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, and by it he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by faith, though he is dead, yet he speaks. 5By faith Enoch was caught up so that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God had taken him: now before he was taken he received this testimony, that he pleased God. 6But 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 diligently seek him. 7By faith Noah, being warned by God of things not yet seen, reverently prepared an ark for the saving of his household; by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. 8By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out to a place which he should later receive as an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing where he was to go. 9By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise: 10For he looked for a city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11Through faith Sarah herself received the ability to conceive, and delivered a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. 12Therefore there was born from one man, and him as good as dead, a multitude as great as the stars of the sky, and as innumerable as the sand which is on the sea shore. 13These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off; and they were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a country of their own. 15And truly, if they had been thinking of that country from which they came out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16Instead, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he has prepared for them a city. 17By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac: he who had received the promises was ready to offer up his only begotten son, 18Of whom it was said, In Isaac shall your descendants be named: 19For he reasoned that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from which, figuratively, he did receive him back. 20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 21By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. 22By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the children of Israel; and gave orders concerning his bones. 23By 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 decree. 24By faith Moses, when he was grown, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin; 26Considering abuse for the sake of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he looked ahead to the reward. 27By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 28By faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 29By faith they passed through the Red sea as on dry land: but when the Egyptians attempted to do so, they were drowned. 30By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were encircled for seven days. 31By faith the prostitute Rahab did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had received the spies in peace. 32And what more shall I say? for time would fail me if I told of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthah; of David, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33Who through faith subdued kingdoms, established justice, obtained promises, closed the mouths of lions, 34Quenched the power of the raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, grew mighty in battle, turned foreign armies to flight. 35Women received their dead, raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36And others suffered mockings and scourgings, yea, even chains and imprisonment: 37They were stoned, they were sawn apart, they were tempted, they were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38(Men of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39And all these, having obtained approval through their faith, did not receive the promise, 40Because God had provided something better for us, that without us they should not be made perfect.