1 Now faith is the assurance of things ^ohoped for, the conviction of things ^pnot seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that ^qthe universe was created ^rby the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

4 By faith ^sAbel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. 5 By faith ^tEnoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 7 By faith ^uNoah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear ^vconstructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the ^wrighteousness that comes by faith.

8 By faith ^xAbraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith ^yhe went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the ^zcity that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. 11 By faith ^aSarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful ^bwho had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him ^cas good as dead, were born descendants ^das many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.