Hebrews 11:4-14

4 It was faith that made Abel offer to God a better sacrifice than Cain's. Through his faith he won God's approval as a righteous man, because God himself approved of his gifts. By means of his faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. 1
5 It was faith that kept Enoch from dying. Instead, he was taken up to God, and nobody could find him, because God had taken him up. The scripture says that before Enoch was taken up, he had pleased God. 2
6 No one can please God without faith, for whoever comes to God must have faith that God exists and rewards those who seek him.
7 It was faith that made Noah hear God's warnings about things in the future that he could not see. He obeyed God and built a boat in which he and his family were saved. As a result, the world was condemned, and Noah received from God the righteousness that comes by faith. 3
8 It was faith that made Abraham obey when God called him to go out to a country which God had promised to give him. He left his own country without knowing where he was going. 4
9 By faith he lived as a foreigner in the country that God had promised him. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who received the same promise from God. 5
10 For Abraham was waiting for the city which God has designed and built, the city with permanent foundations.
11 It was faith that made Abraham able to become a father, even though he was too old and Sarah herself could not have children. He trusted God to keep his promise. 6
12 Though Abraham was practically dead, from this one man came as many descendants as there are stars in the sky, as many as the numberless grains of sand on the seashore. 7
13 It was in faith that all these persons died. They did not receive the things God had promised, but from a long way off they saw them and welcomed them, and admitted openly that they were foreigners and refugees on earth. 8
14 Those who say such things make it clear that they are looking for a country of their own.

Images for Hebrews 11:4-14

Cross References 8

  • 1. 11.4Genesis 4.3-10.
  • 2. 11.5Genesis 5.21-24 (LXX)+2Ben Sira 44.16.
  • 3. 11.7Genesis 6.13-22.
  • 4. 11.8Genesis 12.1-5.
  • 5. 11.9Genesis 35.27.
  • 6. 11.11Genesis 18.11-14; 21.2.
  • 7. 11.12Genesis 15.5; 22.17; 32.12.
  • 8. 11.13Genesis 23.4;1 Chronicles 29.15;Psalms 39.12.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. It was faith . . . children. He; [some manuscripts have] It was faith that made Sarah herself able to conceive, even though she was too old to have children. She.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.