32 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of rGideon and sBarak and tSamson and uJephthah, also of vDavid and wSamuel and the prophets: 33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, xstopped the mouths of lions, 34 yquenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 zWomen received their dead raised to life again.

Others were atortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and bof chains and imprisonment. 37 cThey were stoned, they were sawn in two, 2were tempted, were slain with the sword. dThey wandered about ein sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, fin dens and caves of the earth.

39 And all these, ghaving obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be hmade perfect apart from us.

The Race of Faith

12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, alet us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and blet us run cwith endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the 1author and 2finisher of our faith, dwho for the joy that was set before Him eendured the cross, despising the shame, and fhas sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The Discipline of God

3 gFor consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, hlest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 iYou have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.