1 NOW faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
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 had this testimony, that he pleased God.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, 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 thy seed be called:
19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from 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 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 departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.
24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, 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 pleasures of sin for a season;
26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of 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, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
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 scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the euidence of things not seen.

2For by it the Elders obtained a good report.

3Through faith we vnderstand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seene were not made of things which doe appeare.

4By faith Abel offered vnto God a more excellent sacrifice then Kain, by which he obtained witnes that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead, yet speaketh.

5By faith Enoch was translated, that he should not see death, and was not found, because God had translated him: For before his translation he had this testimonie, that he pleased God.

6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for hee that commeth to God, must beleeue that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seeke him.

7By faith Noah being warned of God of things not seene as yet, moued with feare, prepared an Arke to the sauing of his house, by the which he condemned the world, and became heire of the righteousnesse which is by faith.

8By faith Abraham when he was called to goe out into a place which hee should after receiue for an inheritance, obeyed, and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

9By faith hee soiourned in the land of promise, as in a strange countrey, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Iacob, the heires with him of the same promise.

10For hee looked for a citie which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

11Through faith also Sara her selfe receiued strength to conceiue seede, and was deliuered of a child when she was past age, because she iudged him faithful who had promised.

12Therfore sprang there euen of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the starres of the skie in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

13These all died in faith, not hauing receiued the promises, but hauing seene them a farre off, and were perswaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

14For they that say such things, declare plainly that they seeke a countrey.

15And truly if they had been mindfull of that countrey, from whence they came out, they might haue had opportunitie to haue returned:

16But now they desire a better countrey, that is, an heauenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to bee called their God: for he hath prepared for thē a city.

17By faith Abraham when he was tried, offered vp Isaac: and he that had receiued the promises, offered vp his onely begotten sonne,

18Of whom it was said, That, in Isaac shall thy seed be called:

19Accounting that God was able to raise him vp, euen from the dead: from whence also he receiued him in a figure.

20By faith Isaac blessed Iacob and Esau concerning things to come.

21By faith Iacob when hee was a dying, blessed both the sonnes of Ioseph, and worshipped leaning vpon the top of his staffe.

22By faith, Ioseph when hee died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel: and gaue commandement concerning his bones.

23By faith; Moses when hee was borne was hid three moneths of his parents, because they saw he was a proper childe, and they not afraid of the Kings commandement.

24By faith Moses when hee was come to yeeres, refused to bee called the sonne of Pharaohs daughter,

25Chusing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, then to enioy the pleasures of sinne for a season:

26Esteeming the reproch of Christ greater riches then the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect vnto the recompense of the reward.

27By faith hee forsooke Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he indured, as seeing him who is inuisible.

28Through faith he kept the Passeouer, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the first borne, should touch them.

29By faith they passed through the red sea, as by drie land: which the Egyptians assaying to do, were drowned.

30By faith the walles of Iericho fell downe, after they were compassed about seuen dayes.

31By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that beleeued not, when shee had receiued the spies with peace.

32And what shall I more say? for the time would faile mee to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Sampson, and of Iephthah, of Dauid also and Samuel, and of the Prophets:

33Who through faith subdued kingdomes, wrought righteousnesse, obteined promises, stopped the mouthes of Lions,

34Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakenesse were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

35Women receiued their dead raised to life againe: and others were tortured, not accepting deliuerance, that they might obtaine a better resurrection.

36And others had triall of cruell mockings and scourgings, yea moreouer, of bonds and imprisonment.

37They were stoned, they were sawen asunder, were tempted, were slaine with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskinnes, and goat skins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented.

38Of whome the world was not worthy: they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dennes and caues of the earth.

39And these all hauing obtained a good report through faith, receiued not the promise:

40God hauing prouided some better thing for vs, that they without vs, should not be made perfect.

 

1 Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen. 2 Because of it the ancients were well attested. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was ordered by the word of God, so that what is visible came into being through the invisible. 4 By faith Abel offered to God a sacrifice greater than Cain's. Through this he was attested to be righteous, God bearing witness to his gifts, and through this, though dead, he still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and "he was found no more because God had taken him." Before he was taken up, he was attested to have pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him, for anyone who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 7 By faith Noah, warned about what was not yet seen, with reverence built an ark for the salvation of his household. Through this he condemned the world and inherited the righteousness that comes through faith. 8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; he went out, not knowing where he was to go. 9 By faith he sojourned in the promised land as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs of the same promise; 10 for he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and maker is God. 11 By faith he received power to generate, even though he was past the normal age - and Sarah herself was sterile - for he thought that the one who had made the promise was trustworthy. 12 So it was that there came forth from one man, himself as good as dead, descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sands on the seashore. 13 All these died in faith. They did not receive what had been promised but saw it and greeted it from afar and acknowledged themselves to be strangers and aliens on earth, 14 for those who speak thus show that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of the land from which they had come, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better homeland, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. 17 By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was ready to offer his only son, 18 of whom it was said, "Through Isaac descendants shall bear your name." 19 He reasoned that God was able to raise even from the dead, and he received Isaac back as a symbol. 20 By faith regarding things still to come Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau. 21 By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph and "bowed in worship, leaning on the top of his staff." 22 By faith Joseph, near the end of his life, spoke of the Exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions about his bones. 23 By faith Moses was hidden by his parents for three months after his birth, because they saw that he was a beautiful child, and they were not afraid of the king's edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25 he chose to be ill-treated along with the people of God rather than enjoy the fleeting pleasure of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of the Anointed greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the recompense. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's fury, for he persevered as if seeing the one who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them. 29 By faith they crossed the Red Sea as if it were dry land, but when the Egyptians attempted it they were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell after being encircled for seven days. 31 By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish with the disobedient, for she had received the spies in peace. 32 What more shall I say? I have not time to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, did what was righteous, obtained the promises; they closed the mouths of lions, 34 put out raging fires, escaped the devouring sword; out of weakness they were made powerful, became strong in battle, and turned back foreign invaders. 35 Women received back their dead through resurrection. Some were tortured and would not accept deliverance, in order to obtain a better resurrection. 36 Others endured mockery, scourging, even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, sawed in two, put to death at sword's point; they went about in skins of sheep or goats, needy, afflicted, tormented. 38 The world was not worthy of them. They wandered about in deserts and on mountains, in caves and in crevices in the earth. 39 Yet all these, though approved because of their faith, did not receive what had been promised. 40 God had foreseen something better for us, so that without us they should not be made perfect.

Four men picture the Christian experience in this chapter:
Abel - sacrifice - Salvation
Enoch - pleased God, translated - Christian walk, the Rapture
Noah - obedience rewarded - Rewards at Bema Judgment
Abraham - looked for a heavenly city - Future inheritance in heavenly city
v 1. Faith is the assurance and confidence of that which cannot be perceived by the natural senses. It is not based upon human reasoning or the act of will, but is the result of God working in the human heart. Substance can be compared to a foundation so that our hope is built on the foundation of what we trust in.
v 2. By faith, men of old received divine testimony or witness of the future.
v 3. Evolution is not scientifically provable, neither is creation. It is through faith we believe in creation being done merely by God transferring the thought of His mind into real substance, not by things we see.
However, evidence supports or favors creation above evolution.
v 4. While the Bible account does not say why Able’s offering was acceptable, he had no doubt been told that a blood sacrifice was required, and God may have shown acceptance by a consuming fire. Even though he didn’t live long enough to have descendents to tell, his obedience still bears witness of his faith. Gen. 4:3-10.
v 5. Trusting God was Enoch’s way of life, and God was pleased to continue this fellowship right into eternity. Whether we die or are caught up in the Rapture, It is our faith that has pleased God and taken us to be with Him. Gen. 5:21-24.
v 6. Here are two elements essential to faith. 1. Believe that God exists. 2. Believe He rewards those who seek Him. (By eternal life and eternal blessings, some now.)
v7. Never having had rain until after the animals were gathered into the ark, Noah’s action in building this oddity was both faith and witness to those around him. Gen. 6:13-22. The world was condemned because they didn’t believe Noah.
v 8. Like Noah Abraham acted in simple faith to what was unrealistic. A good stopping place was Haran, but he left his father and moved on into the unknown.
v 9,10. He had left the luxuries of Ur to live in tents, but his main goal was not the land before him, but the eternal city in heaven which could only be obtained by faith. Gen. 12:1-8.
v 11,12. Sarah’s conception was because she acted upon the faith of God’s word. Both were beyond child bearing years, but their descendents became innumerable. Gen. 17:19; 18:11-14; 21:2; 15:5,6; 22;17; 32:12.
v 13-16. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph all died without gaining that land God promised, and if they had given up and chosen, they could have gone back to their original country. Ps. 39:12; Gen. 23:4 But in their faith and quest for the promised land on earth, they looked ahead to the promises of eternity. Ex. 3:6,15; 4:5.
v 17-19. Abraham’s supreme test was his willingness to offer Isaac, Gen. 22:1-10, but he proceeded with faith in the promise God would raise seed through Isaac. In his mind, Isaac was as good as dead when he was placed on the altar, but he would have had to have been brought back to life to fulfil that promise. Gen. 21:12. The ram God provided as a substitute is a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ being our substitute. .
v 20.  Gen. 27:27-29,39,40. - Isaac
v 21.  Gen. 48. - Jacob
v 22.  Gen. 49:24,25; Ex. 13:19. - Joseph
v 23. Ex. 1:22; 2:2. Moses’ parents not acting on a promise, merely their faith.
v 24. Ex. 2:10-15. - Moses faces choice
v 25-27 Ex. 2:15 - Moses forsaking Egypt
v 28. Ex. 12:21-30. - Passover kept
v 29. Ex. 14:21-31. - Crossing Red Sea
v 30. Josh. 5:12-21 - Jericho’s walls fall
v 31. Josh. 2:1-21; 6:22-25. Rahab shelters spies
v 32. Judg. 6-8; 4,5; 13-16; 11,12; 1Sam. 16-30; 2 Sam. 1-24; 1Kin. 1,2; 11;             1 Sam. 1-12; 15; 16:1-13. - Those named and others unnamed.
v 33. Included Dan. 6:22 - Daniel in lions den
v 34. Included Dan. 3:23-28 - The fiery furnace
v 35. 1 Kin. 17:17-24; 2 Kin. 4:25-37.
v 36-38. Untold numbers have suffered the agonies mentioned in these verses. Some were bribed to get them to reject their faith while many more were slain or punished for it. This was written before the terrible blood baths by the Roman church in the dark ages and later. Persians or Chaldeans may have started the barbarous punishment of sawing. Western Moors tied a man between two boards and sawed him length wise starting at the head. Old tradition is that Isaiah was put in a hollow log and sawed in two.
v 39,40.Though all these heroes of faith had won God’s approval and some immediate promises, like us, they still wait for the promises of eternity. They may have appeared defeated, but they, with us, await something better, resurrection.