Hebrews 11:1-22.

Hebrews 11:1-22 (GNT)
 

1To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of
the things we cannot see. 2It was by their faith that people of ancient
times won God's approval. 3It is by faith that we understand that the
universe was created by God's word, so that what can be seen was made out
of what cannot be seen. 4It was faith that made Abel offer to God a better
sacrifice than Cain's. Through his faith he won God's approval as a
righteous man, because God himself approved of his gifts. By means of his
faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. 5It was faith that kept
Enoch from dying. Instead, he was taken up to God, and nobody could find
him, because God had taken him up. The scripture says that before Enoch
was taken up, he had pleased God. 6No one can please God without faith,
for whoever comes to God must have faith that God exists and rewards those
who seek him. 7It was faith that made Noah hear God's warnings about things
in the future that he could not see. He obeyed God and built a boat in
which he and his family were saved. As a result, the world was condemned,
and Noah received from God the righteousness that comes by faith. 8It was
faith that made Abraham obey when God called him to go out to a country
which God had promised to give him. He left his own country without
knowing where he was going. 9By faith he lived as a foreigner in the
country that God had promised him. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and
Jacob, who received the same promise from God. 10For Abraham was waiting
for the city which God has designed and built, the city with permanent
foundations. 11It was faith that made Abraham able to become a father,
even though he was too old and Sarah herself could not have children. He
trusted God to keep his promise. 12Though Abraham was practically dead,
from this one man came as many descendants as there are stars in the sky,
as many as the numberless grains of sand on the seashore. 13It was in
faith that all these persons died. They did not receive the things God had
promised, but from a long way off they saw them and welcomed them, and
admitted openly that they were foreigners and refugees on earth. 14Those
who say such things make it clear that they are looking for a country of
their own. 15They did not keep thinking about the country they had left;
if they had, they would have had the chance to return. 16Instead, it was a
better country they longed for, the heavenly country. And so God is not
ashamed for them to call him their God, because he has prepared a city for
them. 17It was faith that made Abraham offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice
when God put Abraham to the test. Abraham was the one to whom God had made
the promise, yet he was ready to offer his only son as a sacrifice. 18God
had said to him, It is through Isaac that you will have the descendants I
promised. 19Abraham reckoned that God was able to raise Isaac from
death-and, so to speak, Abraham did receive Isaac back from death. 20It
was faith that made Isaac promise blessings for the future to Jacob and
Esau. 21It was faith that made Jacob bless each of the sons of Joseph just
before he died. He leaned on the top of his walking stick and worshiped
God. 22It was faith that made Joseph, when he was about to die, speak of
the departure of the Israelites from Egypt, and leave instructions about
what should be done with his body.

 

God bless you.