Study Desk

Now faith is the ^(C1)certainty of things ^(F1)(C2)hoped for, a ^(F2)proof of ^(C3)things not seen.

For by it the ^(C1)people of old ^(F1)(C2)gained approval.

By faith we understand that the ^(F1)(C1)world has been created ^(C2)by the word of God so that what is seen ^(C3)has not been made out of things that are visible.

By faith ^(C1)Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he was ^(C2)attested to be righteous, God testifying ^(F1)about his ^(C3)gifts, and through ^(F2)faith, though ^(C4)he is dead, he still speaks.

By faith ^(C1)Enoch was taken up so that he would not ^(C2)see 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.

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who ^(C1)comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him.

By faith ^(C1)Noah, being ^(C2)warned by God about ^(C3)things not yet seen, ^(F1)(C4)in reverence ^(C5)prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of ^(C6)the righteousness which is according to faith.

By faith ^(C1)Abraham, when he was called, obeyed ^(F1)by going out to a place which he was to ^(C2)receive for an inheritance; and he left, not knowing where he was going.

By faith he lived as a stranger in ^(C1)the land of promise, as in a foreign land, ^(C2)living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, ^(C3)fellow heirs of the same promise;

for he was looking for ^(C1)the city which has ^(C2)foundations, ^(C3)whose architect and builder is God.

By faith even ^(C1)Sarah herself received ^(F1)ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him ^(C2)faithful who had promised.

Therefore even from one man, and ^(C1)one who was as good as dead ^(F1)at that, there were born descendants who were ^(C2)just as the stars of heaven in number, and as the innumerable grains of sand along the seashore.

^(C1)All these died in faith, ^(C2)without receiving the promises, but ^(C3)having seen and welcomed them from a distance, and ^(C4)having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.

For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.

And indeed if they had been ^(F1)thinking of that country which they left, ^(C1)they would have had opportunity to return.

But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a ^(C1)heavenly one. Therefore ^(C2)God is not ^(F1)ashamed to be ^(C3)called their God; for ^(C4)He has prepared a city for them.

By faith ^(C1)Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and the one who had ^(C2)received the promises was offering up his ^(F1)only son;

it was he to whom it was said, "^(C1)THROUGH ISAAC YOUR ^(F1)DESCENDANTS SHALL BE NAMED."

^(F1)He considered that ^(C1)God is able to raise people even from the dead, from which he also received him back ^(F2)as a ^(F3)(C2)type.

By faith ^(C1)Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come.

By faith ^(C1)Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and ^(C2)worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.

By faith ^(C1)Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders concerning his bones.

By faith ^(C1)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 ^(C2)king's edict.

By faith Moses, ^(C1)when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter,

choosing rather to ^(C1)endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the temporary pleasures of sin,

^(C1)considering the ^(F1)reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the ^(C2)reward.

By faith he ^(C1)left Egypt, not ^(C2)fearing the wrath of the king; for he persevered, as though ^(C3)seeing Him who is unseen.

By faith he ^(F1)(C1)kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that ^(C2)the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch them.

By faith they ^(C1)passed through the Red Sea as through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were ^(F1)drowned.

By faith ^(C1)the walls of Jericho fell down ^(F1)(C2)after the Israelites had marched around them for seven days.

By faith the prostitute ^(C1)Rahab did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies ^(F1)in peace.

And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of ^(C5)David and ^(C6)Samuel and the prophets,

who by faith ^(C1)conquered kingdoms, ^(C2)performed acts of righteousness, ^(C3)obtained promises, ^(C4)shut the mouths of lions,

^(C1)quenched the power of fire, ^(C2)escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, ^(C3)became mighty in war, ^(C3)put foreign armies to flight.

^(C1)Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their ^(F1)release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection;

and others ^(F1)experienced mocking and flogging, and further, ^(C1)chains and imprisonment.

They were ^(C1)stoned, they were sawn in two, ^(F1)they were tempted, they were ^(C2)put to death with the sword; they went about ^(C3)in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ^(C4)tormented

(people of whom the world was not worthy), ^(C1)wandering in deserts, on mountains, and sheltering in caves and holes ^(F1)in the ground.

And all these, having ^(C1)gained approval through their faith, ^(C2)did not receive ^(F1)what was promised,

because God had ^(F1)provided ^(C1)something better for us, so that ^(C2)apart from us they would not be made perfect.