1  Now faith is the substantiating of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2  For in the power of this the elders have obtained testimony. 3  By faith we apprehend that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that that which is seen should not take its origin from things which appear.

4  By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained testimony of being righteous, God bearing testimony to his gifts, and by it, having died, he yet speaks. 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 has the testimony that he had pleased God. 6  But without faith it is impossible to please him. For he that draws near to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them who seek him out. 7  By faith, Noah, oracularly warned concerning things not yet seen, moved with fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his house; by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. 8  By faith Abraham, being called, obeyed to go out into the place which he was to receive for an inheritance, and went out, not knowing where he was going. 9  By faith he sojourned as a stranger in the land of promise as a foreign country, having dwelt in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10  for he waited for the city which has foundations, of which God is the artificer and constructor. 11  By faith also Sarah herself received strength for the conception of seed, and that beyond a seasonable age; since she counted him faithful who promised. 12  Wherefore also there have been born of one, and that of one become dead, even as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the countless sand which is by the sea shore. 13  All these died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them from afar off and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and sojourners on the earth. 14  For they who say such things shew clearly that they seek their country. 15  And if they had called to mind that from whence they went out, they had had opportunity to have returned; 16  but now they seek a better, that is, a heavenly; wherefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God; for he has prepared for them a city. 17  By faith Abraham, when tried, offered up Isaac, and he who had received to himself the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18  as to whom it had been said, In Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19  counting that God was able to raise him even from among the dead, 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 dying blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshipped on the top of his staff. 22  By faith Joseph when dying called to mind the going forth of the sons of Israel, and gave commandment concerning his bones. 23  By faith Moses, being born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw the child beautiful; and they did not fear the injunction of the king. 24  By faith Moses, when he had become great, refused to be called son of Pharaoh’s daughter; 25  choosing rather to suffer affliction along with the people of God than to have the temporary pleasure of sin; 26  esteeming the reproach of the Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt, for he had respect to the recompense. 27  By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he persevered, as seeing him who is invisible. 28  By faith he celebrated the passover and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them. 29  By faith they passed through the Red sea as through dry land; of which the Egyptians having made trial were swallowed up. 30  By faith the walls of Jericho fell, having been encircled for seven days. 31  By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with the unbelieving, having received the spies in peace.

32  And what more do I say? For the time would fail me telling of Gideon, and Barak, and Samson, and Jephthah, and David and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33  who by faith overcame kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped lions’ mouths, 34  quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, became strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, made the armies of strangers give way. 35  Women received their dead again by resurrection; and others were tortured, not having accepted deliverance, that they might get a better resurrection; 36  and others underwent trial of mockings and scourgings, yea, and of bonds and imprisonment. 37  They were stoned, were sawn asunder, were tempted, died by the death of the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, destitute, afflicted, evil treated, 38  (of whom the world was not worthy,) wandering in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caverns of the earth. 39  And these all, having obtained witness through faith, did not receive the promise, 40  God having foreseen some better thing for us, that they should not be made perfect without us.

Chapter 12

1  Let us also therefore, having so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, laying aside every weight, and sin which so easily entangles us, run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2  looking stedfastly on Jesus the leader and completer of faith: who, in view of the joy lying before him, endured the cross, having despised the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3  For consider well him who endured so great contradiction from sinners against himself, that ye be not weary, fainting in your minds.

4  Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, wrestling against sin. 5  And ye have quite forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when reproved by him; 6  for whom the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives. 7  Ye endure for chastening, God conducts himself towards you as towards sons; for who is the son that the father chastens not? 8  But if ye are without chastening, of which all have been made partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9  Moreover we have had the fathers of our flesh as chasteners, and we reverenced them; shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live? 10  For they indeed chastened for a few days, as seemed good to them; but he for profit, in order to the partaking of his holiness. 11  But no chastening at the time seems to be matter of joy, but of grief; but afterwards yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those exercised by it. 12  Wherefore lift up the hands that hang down, and the failing knees; 13  and make straight paths for your feet, that that which is lame be not turned aside; but that rather it may be healed. 14  Pursue peace with all, and holiness, without which no one shall see the Lord: 15  watching lest there be any one who lacks the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and many be defiled by it; 16  lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one meal sold his birthright; 17  for ye know that also afterwards, desiring to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, (for he found no place for repentance) although he sought it earnestly with tears.

18  For ye have not come to the mount that might be touched and was all on fire, and to obscurity, and darkness, and tempest, 19  and trumpet’s sound, and voice of words; which they that heard, excusing themselves, declined the word being addressed to them any more: 20  (for they were not able to bear what was enjoined: And if a beast should touch the mountain, it shall be stoned; 21  and, so fearful was the sight, Moses said, I am exceedingly afraid and full of trembling;) 22  but ye have come to mount Zion; and to the city of the living God, heavenly Jerusalem; and to myriads of angels, 23  the universal gathering; and to the assembly of the firstborn who are registered in heaven; and to God, judge of all; and to the spirits of just men made perfect;