Shared Word Translation
Hebrews 11
The Witness of Faith
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the ages were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
Abel, Enoch, Noah
By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain. Through it he received commendation as righteous, God himself bearing witness by accepting his gifts; and through his faith he still speaks, though he is dead. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. For before he was taken he received commendation as one who had pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he is, and that he rewards those who seek him.
By faith Noah, having been warned by God about events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. Through this faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
Abraham and Sarah
By faith Abraham, when called, obeyed and went out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. 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. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
By faith Sarah herself, though barren, received power to conceive seed, even when she was past the proper age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.
Strangers and Exiles
All these died in faith, not having received what was promised, but having seen and greeted them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of the land that they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, 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.
The Binding of Isaac
By faith Abraham, when he was being tested, offered up Isaac, and the one who had received the promises was offering up his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your descendants be called.” He reasoned that God was able even to raise him from the dead—and figuratively he did receive him back.
The Patriarchs and Joseph
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, concerning what was to come. By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and bowed in worship over the head of his staff. By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.
Moses
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they did not fear the king’s edict. By faith Moses, when he was grown, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to the reward.
By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the anger of the king; for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them. By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land; but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were swallowed up.
Conquest and Beyond
By faith the walls of Jericho fell after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had received the spies in peace.
And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, did what was right, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, refusing release, so that they might rise to a better life. Still others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed by the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering over deserts and mountains, in caves and holes in the ground.
The Promise Withheld for Now
And all these, though commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made complete.