RKJNT - Hebrews - 11

11:1  Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

11:2  For by it the men of old obtained approval.

11:3  Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were made of things which do not appear.

11:4  By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, and by it he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by faith, though he is dead, yet he speaks.

11:5  By faith Enoch was caught up so that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God had taken him: now before he was taken he received this testimony, that he pleased God.

11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he who comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.

11:7  By faith Noah, being warned by God of things not yet seen, reverently prepared an ark for the saving of his household; by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

11:8  By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out to a place which he should later receive as an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing where he was to go.

11:9  By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise:

11:10  For he looked for a city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

11:11  Through faith Sarah herself received the ability to conceive, and delivered a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

11:12  Therefore there was born from one man, and him as good as dead, a multitude as great as the stars of the sky, and as innumerable as the sand which is on the sea shore.

11:13  These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off; and they were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.

11:14  For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a country of their own.

11:15  And truly, if they had been thinking of that country from which they came out, they would have had opportunity to return.

11:16  Instead, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he has prepared for them a city.

11:17  By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac: he who had received the promises was ready to offer up his only begotten son,

11:18  Of whom it was said, In Isaac shall your descendants be named:

11:19  For he reasoned that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from which, figuratively, he did receive him back.

11:20  By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

11:21  By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

11:22  By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the children of Israel; and gave orders concerning his bones.

11:23  By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's decree.

11:24  By faith Moses, when he was grown, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

11:25  Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin;

11:26  Considering abuse for the sake of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he looked ahead to the reward.

11:27  By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

11:28  By faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

11:29  By faith they passed through the Red sea as on dry land: but when the Egyptians attempted to do so, they were drowned.

11:30  By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were encircled for seven days.

11:31  By faith the prostitute Rahab did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had received the spies in peace.

11:32  And what more shall I say? for time would fail me if I told of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthah; of David, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

11:33  Who through faith subdued kingdoms, established justice, obtained promises, closed the mouths of lions,

11:34  Quenched the power of the raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, grew mighty in battle, turned foreign armies to flight.

11:35  Women received their dead, raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

11:36  And others suffered mockings and scourgings, yea, even chains and imprisonment:

11:37  They were stoned, they were sawn apart, they were tempted, they were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

11:38  (Men of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

11:39  And all these, having obtained approval through their faith, did not receive the promise,

11:40  Because God had provided something better for us, that without us they should not be made perfect.