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.