Faith is Being Sure

1Now faith is the substance of things to be hoped for, the evidence of things that appear not. 2For by this the ancients obtained a testimony.

3By faith we understand that the world was framed by the word of God; that from invisible things visible things might be made.

The Faith of Abel, Enoch, Noah

4By faith Abel offered to God a sacrifice exceeding that of Cain, by which he obtained a testimony that he was just, God giving testimony to his gifts; and by it he being dead yet speaketh. 5By faith Henoch was translated, that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had testimony that he pleased God. 6But without faith it is impossible to please God. For he that cometh to God, must believe that he is, and is a rewarder to them that seek him. 7By faith Noe, having received an answer concerning those things which as yet were not seen, moved with fear, framed the ark for the saving of his house, by the which he condemned the world; and was instituted heir of the justice which is by faith.

The Faith of Abraham

(Genesis 15:1-7; Romans 4:1-12; Galatians 3:1-9; James 2:14-26)

8By faith he that is called Abraham, obeyed to go out into a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9By faith he abode in the land, dwelling in cottages, with Isaac and Jacob, the co-heirs of the same promise. 10For he looked for a city that hath foundations; whose builder and maker is God. 11By faith also Sara herself, being barren, received strength to conceive seed, even past the time of age; because she believed that he was faithful who had promised, 12For which cause there sprung even from one (and him as good as dead) as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

13All these died according to faith, not having received the promises, but beholding them afar off, and saluting them, and confessing that they are pilgrims and strangers on the earth. 14For they that say these things, do signify that they seek a country. 15And truly if they had been mindful of that from whence they came out, they had doubtless time to return. 16But now they desire a better, that is to say, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city.

17By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered Isaac: and he that had received the promises, offered up his only begotten son; 18(To whom it was said: In Isaac shall thy seed be called.) 19Accounting that God is able to raise up even from the dead. Whereupon also he received him for a parable.

The Faith of Isaac, Jacob, Joseph

20By faith also of things to come, Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau. 21By faith Jacob dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and adored the top of his rod. 22By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the going out of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.

The Faith of Moses

23By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents; because they saw he was a comely babe, and they feared not the king's edict. 24By faith Moses, when he was grown up, denied himself to be the son of Pharao's daughter; 25Rather choosing to be afflicted with the people of God, than to have the pleasure of sin for a time, 26Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasure of the Egyptians. For he looked unto the reward. 27By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the fierceness of the king: for he endured as seeing him that is invisible. 28By faith he celebrated the pasch, and the shedding of the blood; that he, who destroyed the firstborn, might not touch them. 29By faith they passed through the Red Sea, as by dry land: which the Egyptians attempting, were swallowed up.

30By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, by the going round them seven days.

The Faith of Many

(Joshua 2:1-14)

31By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with the unbelievers, receiving the spies with peace.

32And what shall I yet say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, Barac, Samson, Jephthe, David, Samuel, and the prophets: 33Who by faith conquered kingdoms, wrought justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, recovered strength from weakness, became valiant in battle, put to flight the armies of foreigners: 35Women received their dead raised to life again. But others were racked, not accepting deliverance, that they might find a better resurrection. 36And others had trial of mockeries and stripes, moreover also of bands and prisons. 37They were stoned, they were cut asunder, they were tempted, they were put to death by the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being in want, distressed, afflicted: 38Of whom the world was not worthy; wandering in deserts, in mountains, and in dens, and in caved of the earth.

39And all these being approved by the testimony of faith, received not the promise; 40God providing some better thing for us, that they should not be perfected without us.