Bible Time

¹NOW faith is the substance of things hoped for, as it was the substance of things which have come to pass; and it is the evidence of things not seen, ²And in this way it became a testimony concerning the elders. ³For it is through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen came to be from those which are not seen. ⁴It was by faith Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice to God than Cain, and because of this, he received a testimony that he was righteous, and God testified to his offering; therefore, even though he is dead, he speaks. ⁵By faith Enoch departed and did not taste death, and he was not found, because God took him; but before he took him away, there was a testimonial about him, that he pleased God. ⁶Without faith man cannot please God; for he who comes near to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him. ⁷By faith Noah, when he was warned concerning the things not seen, became fearful and made an ark to save his household; and by it he condemned the world and became heir of righteousness which is by faith. ⁸By faith Abraham, when he was called to depart for the land which he was to receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. ⁹By faith he became a temporary resident in the land which was promised him as in a strange country, and he lived in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; ¹⁰For he looked for a city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. ¹¹Through faith Sarah, who was barren, also received strength to conceive an offspring, and delivered a child when she was past age, because she was sure that he who had promised her was faithful. ¹²Therefore, there sprang from one who was as good as dead, as many as the stars of the sky in number and as the grains of sand which is on the sea shore, innumerable. ¹³These all died in faith, not having received the promised land, but they saw it from far away, and rejoiced in it; and they acknowledged that they were strangers and pilgrims on earth.

¹⁴For they who speak so declare plainly that they seek a country for themselves. ¹⁵And if they had a desire for that very country from which they went out, they had time to return to it again. ¹⁶But now it is evident that they desire a better city, that city which is in heaven; therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for he has prepared for them a city. ¹⁷By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac; he lifted on the altar his only begotten son, even that very one who had been received in the promise, ¹⁸Of whom it was said, In Isaac your descendants will be called; ¹⁹And he reasoned in himself, It is possible for God even to raise the dead; and because of this, Isaac was given to him as a parable. ²⁰By faith in the things to come Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau. ²¹By faith Jacob, when be was dying, blessed both of the sons of Joseph, and he worshiped, leaning on the head of his staff. ²²By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel and gave commandment concerning his bones. ²³By faith the parents of Moses hid him for 3 months after his birth, because they saw that the infant boy was fair; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. ²⁴By faith Moses, when he came to manhood, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, ²⁵Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short while. ²⁶And he reasoned that the disgrace of Messiah was greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked forward to receive a reward. ²⁷By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; and he survived after he had seen God, who is invisible. ²⁸Through faith he instituted the passover and sprinkled the blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them. ²⁹By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land; but in it the Egyptians were drowned when they made the attempt. ³⁰By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encompassed 7 days. ³¹By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, for she had received the spies in peace.

³²And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon and of Barak and of Samson and of Jephthah and also of David and Samuel and of the rest of the prophets, ³³Who through faith conquered kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, ³⁴Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, routed the camps of enemies, ³⁵Restored to women their sons, raised people from the dead; while others died through tortures, not hoping for deliverance, that they might have a better resurrection; ³⁶Others endured mockings and scourgings; still others were delivered to bonds and imprisonment; ³⁷Some were stoned, some were sawn apart, some died by the edge of the sword; others wandered about, wearing sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, afflicted and tormented, ³⁸Of whom the world was not worthy; they were like those who are lost in the desert, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. ³⁹Thus these all, having obtained a testimonial through the faith, did not receive the promise, ⁴⁰Because God from the beginning provided for our help, lest without us they should not be made perfect.