Hebrews 11 - Amplified Bible(AMP)

The Triumphs of Faith

1Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen.

2For by this faith the men of old gained approval.

3By faith we understand that the worlds (universe, ages) were framed and created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.

4By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which it was testified of him that he was righteous (upright, in right standing with God), and God testified by accepting his gifts. And though he died, yet through faith he still speaks.

5By faith Enoch was caught up and taken to heaven so that he would not have a glimpse of death; and he was not found because God had taken him; for even before he was taken, he received the testimony that he had walked with God and pleased Him.

6But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever comes to God must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.

7By faith Noah, being warned by God about events not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his family. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness which comes by faith.

8By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going to a place which he was to receive as an inheritance; and he went, not knowing where he was going.

9By faith he lived as a foreigner in the promised land, as in a strange land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, who were fellow heirs of the same promise.

10For he was looking forward to the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

11By faith even Sarah herself received the ability to conceive, even past the normal age for it, because she considered Him who had given her the promise to be reliable and true.

12So from one man, though he was as good as dead, were born as many descendants as the stars of heaven in number, and innumerable as the sand on the seashore.

13All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, only having seen (anticipated) them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.

14Now those who say such things make it clear that they are looking for a country of their own.

15And if they had been thinking of that country from which they departed, they would have had opportunity to return.

16But the truth is that they were longing for a better country, that is, a heavenly one. For that reason God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.

17By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was ready to sacrifice his only son;

18to whom it was said, “Through Isaac your descendants shall be called.”

19For he considered that God was able to raise Isaac even from among the dead. Abraham did receive him back figuratively speaking.

20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding things to come.

21By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and bowed in worship, leaning on the top of his staff.

22By faith Joseph, when he was dying, referred to the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.

23By faith Moses, after his birth, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful and divinely favored child; and they were not afraid of the king’s (Pharaoh’s) decree.

24By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,

25because he preferred to endure the hardship of the people of God rather than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin.

26He considered the reproach of the Christ to be greater wealth than all the treasures of Egypt; for he looked ahead to the reward.

27By faith he left Egypt, being unafraid of the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen.

28By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch them (the firstborn of Israel).

29By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land; but when the Egyptians attempted it they were drowned.

30By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.

31By faith Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed along with those who were disobedient, because she had welcomed the spies in peace.

32And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets,

33who by faith subdued kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promised blessings, closed the mouths of lions,

34extinguished the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became mighty and unbeatable in battle, putting enemy forces to flight.

35Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they would be resurrected to a better life;

36and others experienced the trial of mocking and scourging, and even chains and imprisonment.

37They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were lured with tempting offers, they were put to death by the sword; they went about wrapped in the skins of sheep and goats, utterly destitute, oppressed, cruelly treated

38(people of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.

39And all of these, though they gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised,

40because God had us in mind and had something better for us, so that they would not be made perfect apart from us.