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¹ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.² For by it the elders obtained a good report.³ Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which appeared.

⁴ By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained testimony that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.⁵ By faith Enoch was translated, that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.⁶ But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.⁷ By faith Noah, being warned by God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.⁸ By faith Abraham, when he was called to remove into a place which he should afterwards receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out not knowing whither he was going.⁹ By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as [in] a foreign country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:¹⁰ For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker [is] God.¹¹ Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.¹² Therefore there sprang even from one, and him as good as dead, [so many] as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea-shore innumerable.¹³ These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of [them], and embraced [them], and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.¹⁴ For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.¹⁵ And truly, if they had been mindful of that [country] from whence they came, they might have had opportunity to return.¹⁶ But now they desire a better [country], that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city.¹⁷ By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only-begotten [son],¹⁸ Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:¹⁹ Accounting that God [was] able to raise [him] even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.²⁰ By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.²¹ By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshiped, [leaning] upon the top of his staff.²² By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.²³ By faith Moses when he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw [he was] a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.²⁴ By faith Moses, when he had come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;²⁵ Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;²⁶ Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he had respect to the recompense of the reward.²⁷ By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.²⁸ Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the first-born should touch them.²⁹ By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry [land]: which the Egyptians essaying to do were drowned.³⁰ By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encompassed seven days.³¹ By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, as she had received the spies with peace.

³² And what shall I say more? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and [of] Barak, and [of] Samson, and [of] Jephthah, [of] David also, and Samuel, and [of] the prophets:³³ Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,³⁴ Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.³⁵ Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:³⁶ And others had trial of [cruel] mockings and scourgings, and, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:³⁷ They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheep-skins, and goat-skins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;³⁸ (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and [in] mountains, and [in] dens and caves of the earth.³⁹ And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:⁴⁰ God having provided some better [thing] for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.