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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Hebrews 11 ISV</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/hebrews/11.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="../topmenuchap/hebrews/11-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">ISV</a> > Hebrews 11</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../hebrews/10.htm" title="Hebrews 10">◄</a> Hebrews 11 <a href="../hebrews/12.htm" title="Hebrews 12">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">International Standard Version</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/isv/esv/hebrews/11.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><p class="heading">The Meaning of Faith</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>Now faith is the assurance that what we hope for will come about<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="11:1 The Gk. lacks will come about">a</a></span> and the certainty that what we cannot see exists.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="11:1 The Gk. lacks exist">b</a></span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>By faith our ancestors won approval.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>By faith we understand that time was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are invisible.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain did,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="11:4 The Gk. lacks did">c</a></span> and by faith<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="11:4 Lit. it">d</a></span> he was declared to be righteous, since God himself accepted his offerings. And by faith<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="11:4 Lit. it">e</a></span> he continues to speak, even though he is dead.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>By faith Enoch was taken away without experiencing death. He could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he won approval as one who pleased God. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who diligently search for him.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, reverently prepared an ark to save his family, and by faith<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="11:7 Lit. it">f</a></span> he condemned the world and inherited the righteousness that comes by faith.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who also inherited the same promise, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>because he was waiting for the city with permanent foundations, whose architect and builder is God.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>By faith Sarah, even though she was old and barren, received the strength to conceive, because she was convinced that the one who had made the promise was faithful. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>Abraham<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="11:12 Lit. He">g</a></span> was as good as dead, yet from this one man came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>All these people died having faith. They did not receive the things that were promised, yet they saw them in the distant future and welcomed them, acknowledging that they were strangers and foreigners on earth. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>For people who say such things make it clear that they are looking for a country of their own. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>If they had been thinking about what they had left behind, they would have had an opportunity to go back. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>Instead, they were longing for a better country, that is, a heavenly one. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, because he has prepared a city for them.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered Isaac—he who had received the promises was about to offer his unique son<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="11:17 Lit. unique one">h</a></span> in sacrifice, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>about whom it had been said, “It is through Isaac that descendants will be named for you.”<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="11:18 Cf. Gen 21:12">i</a></span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>Abraham<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="11:19 Lit. He">j</a></span> was certain that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did get Isaac<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="11:19 Lit. him">k</a></span> back in this way.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons “and worshipped while leaning<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="11:21 The Gk. lacks while leaning">l</a></span> on the top of his staff.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelis and gave them instructions about burying<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="11:22 The Gk. lacks burying">m</a></span> his bones.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>By faith Moses was hidden by his parents for three months after he was born, because they saw that he was a beautiful child and were not afraid of the king’s order.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called a son of Pharaoh’s daughter, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>because he preferred being mistreated with God’s people to enjoying the pleasures of sin for a short time. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>He thought that being insulted for the sake of the Messiah<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="11:26 Or Christ">n</a></span> was of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>By faith he left Egypt, without being afraid of the king’s anger, and he persevered because he saw the one who is invisible.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-28.htm"><b>28</b></a></span>By faith he established the Passover and the sprinkling of blood to keep the destroyer of the firstborn from touching the people.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="11:28 Lit. them">o</a></span> </p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span>By faith they went through the Red Sea as if it were dry land. When the Egyptians tried to do this, they were drowned.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-30.htm"><b>30</b></a></span>By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-31.htm"><b>31</b></a></span>By faith Rahab the prostitute did not die with those who were disobedient, because she had welcomed the spies with a greeting of<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="11:31 The Gk. lacks a greeting of">p</a></span> peace.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-32.htm"><b>32</b></a></span>And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell you about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-33.htm"><b>33</b></a></span>Through faith they conquered kingdoms, administered justice, received promises, shut the mouths of lions, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-34.htm"><b>34</b></a></span>put out raging fires, escaped death by<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="11:34 Lit. by the edge of">q</a></span> the sword, found strength in weakness, became powerful in battle, and routed foreign armies. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-35.htm"><b>35</b></a></span>Women received their dead raised back to life. Other people were brutally tortured, but refused to be ransomed, so that they might gain a better resurrection. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-36.htm"><b>36</b></a></span>Still others endured taunts and floggings, and even chains and imprisonment. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-37.htm"><b>37</b></a></span>They were stoned to death, sawed in half, and killed with swords. They went around in sheepskins and goatskins. They were needy, oppressed, and mistreated. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-38.htm"><b>38</b></a></span>The world wasn’t worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and from caves to holes in the ground.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-39.htm"><b>39</b></a></span>All these people won approval for their faith but they did not receive what was promised, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-40.htm"><b>40</b></a></span>since God had planned something better for us, so that they would not be perfected without us.</p><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><A name="ftn"></a><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="fn1"><span class="fnb">a</span> 11:1 The Gk. lacks <i>will come about</i><br /><span class="fnb">b</span> 11:1 The Gk. lacks <i>exist</i><br /><span class="fnb">c</span> 11:4 The Gk. lacks <i>did</i><br /><span class="fnb">d</span> 11:4 Lit. <i>it</i><br /><span class="fnb">e</span> 11:4 Lit. <i>it</i><br /><span class="fnb">f</span> 11:7 Lit. <i>it</i><br /><span class="fnb">g</span> 11:12 Lit. <i>He</i><br /><span class="fnb">h</span> 11:17 Lit. <i>unique one</i><br /><span class="fnb">i</span> 11:18 Cf. Gen 21:12<br /><span class="fnb">j</span> 11:19 Lit. <i>He</i><br /><span class="fnb">k</span> 11:19 Lit. <i>him</i><br /><span class="fnb">l</span> 11:21 The Gk. lacks <i>while leaning</i><br /><span class="fnb">m</span> 11:22 The Gk. lacks <i>burying</i><br /><span class="fnb">n</span> 11:26 Or <i>Christ</i><br /><span class="fnb">o</span> 11:28 Lit. <i>them</i><br /><span class="fnb">p</span> 11:31 The Gk. lacks <i>a greeting of</i><br /><span class="fnb">q</span> 11:34 Lit. <i>by the edge of</i><br /></span><br><br><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><div align="center"><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1<br />Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation<br />ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/">Bible Hub</a></div></div></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="../hebrews/10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Hebrews 10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Hebrews 10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="../hebrews/12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Hebrews 12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Hebrews 12" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="rightbox"><div class="padright"><div id="pic"><iframe width="100%" height="860" scrolling="no" src="//biblescan.com/mpc/hebrews/11-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></div></div><div id="rightbox4"><div class="padright2"><div id="spons1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tr><td class="sp1"><iframe width="122" height="860" scrolling="no" src="../sidemenu.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="bot"><div align="center" style="background-color:#F2FAFF"><br /><br /><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script></div></td></tr></table><br /><br /><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script></div></td></tr></table></div><br /><br /> </div><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/botmenubhnm2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe><div align="center"><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span></div></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>