Letters to the Churches

By faith he abode in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in cottages, with Isaac and Jacob, the co-heirs of the same promise.

For he looked for a city that hath foundations: whose builder and maker is God.

By faith also Sara herself, being barren, received strength to conceive seed, even past the time of age: because she believed that he was faithful who had promised,

For which cause there sprung even from one (and him as good as dead) as the stars of heaven in multitude and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

All these died according to faith, not having received the promises but beholding them afar off and saluting them and confessing that they are pilgrims and strangers on the earth.

For they that say these things do signify that they seek a country.

And truly, if they had been mindful of that from whence they came out, they had doubtless, time to return.

But now they desire a better, that is to say, a heavenly country. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

(To whom it was said: In Isaac shalt thy seed be called:)

Accounting that God is able to raise up even from the dead. Whereupon also he received him for a parable.

By faith also of things to come Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau.

By faith Jacob, dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph and adored the top of his rod.

By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the going out of the children of Israel and gave commandment concerning his bones.

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents: because they saw he was a comely babe, and they feared not the king's edict.

By faith Moses, when he was grown up, denied himself to be the son of Pharao's daughter:

Rather choosing to be afflicted with the people of God than to have the pleasure of sin for a time:

Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasure of the Egyptians. For he looked unto the reward.

By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the fierceness of the king: for he endured, as seeing him that is invisible.

By faith he celebrated the pasch and the shedding of the blood: that he who destroyed the firstborn might not touch them.

By faith they passed through the Red Sea, as by dry land: which the Egyptians attempting, were swallowed up.

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, by the going round them seven days.

By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with the unbelievers, receiving the spies with peace.

And what shall I yet say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, Barac, Samson, Jephthe, David, Samuel, and the prophets:

Who by faith conquered kingdoms, wrought justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,