1Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
2This is why people in the past were approved by God.
3By faith, we understand that God created the universe with his word, so that what we see was made from things that are invisible.
4By faith, Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain. Because of Abel’s faith, God approved of his gifts and called him righteous. Even though Abel is dead, he still speaks through his faith.
5By faith, Enoch was taken from this life so he would not experience death. He could not be found, because God had taken him away. Before he was taken, he was known as someone who pleased God.
6Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
7By faith, Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, was filled with respect for God. He built an ark to save his family, by which he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
8By faith, Abraham obeyed when God called him to go to a place where he would receive an inheritance. He went, even though he didn't know where he was going.
9By faith, he lived as a foreigner in the promised land, as if it were not his own. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who shared the same promise.
10For Abraham was looking forward to the city with permanent foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
11Because of her faith, even Sarah was able to have a child, even though she was past the age for it and Abraham was too old. She trusted that God, who had made the promise, would keep it.
12From this one man, who was practically dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
13All these people died still believing, even though they had not received the things God promised. But they saw these promises from a distance, welcomed them, and openly said that they were strangers and temporary residents on Earth.
14People who say such things clearly show that they are looking for their own homeland.
15If they had been thinking about the country they left, they would have had the chance to go back.
16But they were looking for a better country, a heavenly one. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
17Because of his faith, Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God tested him. He was ready to offer his only son, even though he had happily received God's promises,
18and God had told him, "Your descendants will come through Isaac."
19Abraham believed that God could even raise the dead. In a symbolic way, he did get Isaac back from death.
20Because of his faith, Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, telling them what would happen in the future.
21Because of his faith, Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons and worshiped God while leaning on the top of his staff.
22Because of his faith, Joseph, when he was close to death, spoke about the Israelites leaving Egypt and gave instructions about what should be done with his bones.
23Because of their faith, Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was a special child, and they were not afraid of the king's order.
24Because of his faith, when Moses grew up, he refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter.
25He chose instead to suffer with God's people rather than to enjoy the short-lived pleasures of sin.
26He considered suffering for the Messiah to be more valuable than all the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking forward to God's reward.
27Because of his faith, Moses left Egypt without fearing the king's anger. He kept going because he saw God, who is invisible.
28Because of his faith, Moses celebrated the Passover and sprinkled the blood so that the angel of death would not touch the firstborn sons.
29Because of their faith, the people of Israel crossed the Red Sea as if it were dry land. But when the Egyptians tried to do the same, they were drowned.
30Because of their faith, the walls of Jericho fell down after the Israelites marched around them for seven days.
31Because of her faith, Rahab the prostitute did not die with those who disobeyed God, since she welcomed the spies peacefully.
32What more can I say? I don’t have enough time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets.
33Through faith, they conquered kingdoms, did what was right, received what God promised, and shut the mouths of lions.
34They put out raging fires, escaped being killed by swords, became strong when they were weak, were powerful in war, and made foreign armies run away.
35Women received their dead loved ones back to life through resurrection. Others were tortured and refused to be set free so they could receive an even better resurrection.
36Still others were ridiculed and whipped, and even put in chains and in prison.
37They were stoned to death, cut in two, tempted, and killed with swords. They went around in sheepskins and goatskins, poor, suffering, and treated badly.
38The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and holes in the ground.
39All these people were commended for their faith, but they did not receive what God promised,
40because God had planned something better for us, so that they would only be made perfect together with us.