By Faith we Understand
NOW faith is the confidence of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the ancients obtained a good testimony.
3 Through faith we understand that the universe was framed by the word of God; so that the things which are seen, were not made of things which are visible.
The Faith of the Ancients
4 ¶ By faith, Abel offered to God a more appropriate sacrifice than Kain, through which he obtained testimony that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it, being dead he yet speaks.
5 ¶ By faith, Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God took him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
6 And without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those that diligently seek him.
7 ¶ By faith, Noah being warned by God concerning things not yet seen, obeyed with fear, prepared an ark for the salvation of his household; through which, he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is through faith.
8 ¶ By faith, Abraham when called to go out into a place which he was to receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and went out, not knowing where he was going.
9 By faith, he temporarily resided in the land of promise as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
10 For he waited for the city having foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
11 ¶ Through faith, Sara herself also received power to conceive seed, and delivered a child when she was past age, because she regarded him faithful who had promised.
12 Therefore there was born from one man, and him as good as dead, as many as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as innumerable as the sand which is by the sea shore.
The Promises Afar Off
13 ¶ These all died in faith, not having received the promises; rather, having seen them afar off were convinced of them, and gladly welcomed them, and acknowledged the fact that they were foreigners and pilgrims on the earth.
14 For those that say such things, declare plainly that they seek their homeland.
15 And indeed, if they had been mindful of that which they had came out, they would have had opportunity to return.
16 But now they desire a better homeland, that is, of heaven: therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he has prepared for them a city.
The Patriarchs by Faith
17 ¶ By faith, Abraham when he was put to the test, 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 your seed be called:
19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from which, he also received him back symbolically.
20 ¶ By faith, Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
21 ¶ By faith, Jacob when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
22 ¶ By faith, Joseph when he died, made mention of the exodus of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
Moses by Faith
23 ¶ By faith, Moses when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was no ordinary child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.
24 By faith, Moses when he became of age, 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 temporary pleasures of sin;
26 Regarding the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he was looking ahead to 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, so that he that destroyed the firstborn would not touch them.
29 By faith, they crossed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians attempting to do, were swallowed up.
Examples of Faith
30 ¶ By faith, the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were gone around for seven days.
31 ¶ By faith, Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed with those that disobeyed, receiving the spies with peace.
32 ¶ And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and Barak, and Samson, and Jephthah; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
33 Who through faith, conquered kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions,
34 Quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became mighty in battle, turned to flight the armies belonging to others.
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 flogging, and, moreover of chains and imprisonment:
37 They were stoned, sawn in two, were tempted, executed with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, and mistreated;
38 (Of whom the world is not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.
39 ¶ And these, all having obtained a good testimony through faith, received not the promise:
40 God having provided beforehand something better for us; that apart from us, they should not be made perfect.