Faithful Abraham

8 By faith iAbraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, jdwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, kthe heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for lthe city which has foundations, mwhose builder and maker is God.

11 By faith nSarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and oshe 4bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him pfaithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as qdead, were born as many as the rstars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

The Heavenly Hope

13 These all died in faith, snot having received the tpromises, but uhaving seen them afar off 5were assured of them, embraced them and vconfessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things wdeclare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind xthat country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed yto be called their God, for He has zprepared a city for them.

The Faith of the Patriarchs

17 By faith Abraham, awhen he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 6of whom it was said, b“In Isaac your seed shall be called,” 19 concluding that God cwas able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.

20 By faith dIsaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, eblessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.

22 By faith fJoseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.