13 These all died in faith, ^enot having received the things promised, but having ^fseen them and greeted them from afar, and ^ghaving acknowledged that they were strangers and ^hexiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. 15 If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ⁱashamed to be called ^jtheir God, for he has prepared for them a city.

17 ^kBy faith Abraham, ^lwhen he was tested, ^moffered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, ⁿ“Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 ^oHe considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. 20 By faith ^pIsaac invoked future blessings on Jacob ^qand Esau. 21 By faith ^rJacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, ^sbowing in worship over the head of his staff. 22 By faith ^tJoseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning ^uhis bones.