Hebrews 11

 

1 Now (the word that was with God, that originated from God and was God, has come and perfected His promise inside of human flesh) the word made immortal flesh (in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who) is the substance of the faith, (the author and the perfecter) that gives the full assurance of everything ever hoped for, and provides the indisputable evidence, proving (the certainty of) that which is not yet seen.

2 For by that word (which was from the beginning) the elders obtained a good report (of the work that God would do to fulfil the promise).

3 Through the (same) faith (that has been made flesh in Jesus) we understand that the universe was (shaped,) formed (and fashioned) by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made by the things which do appear (but by the word of God that was from the beginning).

4 (Being persuaded) by the same faith (that was from the beginning and testified of the work which God would do in Christ, and the certainty of things not yet seen) Abel offered unto God a far superior sacrifice than Cain, by which (faith) he obtained witness (from God Himself) that he was righteous (in resting in His promise to provide Himself the lamb and decorate him in His life), God testifying of (the superiority of) his gifts: that being persuaded by that faith though he being dead yet speaks.

5 (Being persuaded) by the same faith (that was from the beginning and testified of the work which God would do in Christ, and the certainty of things not yet seen) Enoch was translated (from death to life) not seeing (God as the one who punishes with) death (but only seeing the reward of His life); and was found no more, because God had taken him: because before his translation he bore the testimony (of God), by which he (walked in agreement with and) pleased God (diligently seeking Him for the reward of His life).

6 But without the faith (contained in the word that was from the beginning and was made flesh in Jesus Christ) it is impossible that He find any pleasure (seeing anyone drawback unto destruction): for he that comes to God (comes because he) is (fully) persuaded that He (already) is (pleased), and that He is the rewarder (of life and immortality and not the destroyer) of them that diligently seek Him.

7 (Being persuaded) by the same faith (that was from the beginning and testified of the work which God would do in Christ, and the certainty of things not yet seen) Noah, (having seen grace in God’s eyes toward him and all mankind) was warned by God concerning (the revelation of) things not yet seen, moved with reverential awe to prepare an ark (that was pitched within and without according to God’s instructions) to the saving of his house; by which (faith) he condemned (the life he could have in) the world (filled with labor and anguish, preaching to all people God’s desire to preserve their lives from the destruction in the world), and became an heir of the life that only comes from trusting in the work of God (to fulfil His promise).

8 (Being persuaded) by the same faith (that was from the beginning and testified of the work which God would do in Christ, and the certainty of things not yet seen) Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which (God promised that) he (and his seed) should afterward receive for an inheritance, obeyed (believing God); and (even though he had yet no child) he went out, not knowing where he went.

9 (Being persuaded) by the same faith (which was from the beginning and testified of the work which God would do in Christ, and the certainty of things not yet seen) he dwelled in the land of promise, as a stranger in a strange country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, who were the heirs along with him of the same promise: 

10 For he looked for a city which had foundations (not built with man’s hands that could never see corruption), whose builder and maker is God.

11 (Being persuaded) by the same faith (which was from the beginning and testified of the work which God would do in Christ, and the certainty of things not yet seen) Sara also herself (when she was old and barren) received strength to conceive (the promised) seed and was able to deliver a child when she was past age, because she considered (not the deadness of her womb but) the One who had promised (it as a certainty) trustworthy (to also be able to perform it).

12 Therefore from (the seed of) one (man), and his own body (impotent and) as good as dead, were born so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand of the seashore uncountable.

13 All these died in the same faith (fully confident in the work that God said He would do) but without having received the promises, only seeing them from afar and being persuaded of them and embraced them and confessed that they were like strangers in a strange land in the earth.

14 For they that say such things declare bluntly that they seek a country (which they have yet come to).

15 And truly, if they had been mindful of (fondly remembering) the country from where they came out of, they might have found an opportunity to return.

16 But instead they longed for a better country, one that is of a heavenly substance (from above): therefore, God is not ashamed to be surnamed their God (the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob): for He has prepared (just such) a city for them.

17 (Being persuaded) by the same faith (which was from the beginning and testified of the work which God would do in Christ, and the certainty of things not yet seen) Abraham, when he was proven (the faith manifested in his heart and he believed God), offered up Isaac (in the place where he saw God would provide Himself the lamb): and he that had received the promises (that through him and his seed he would become the father of many nations) offered up his only begotten son (believing the promise that God would preserve him and his seed eternally).

18 Of whom it was said, that through Isaac will (you and) your seed be called (blessed, the father of many nations):

19 Considering that God (who promised) was also able to raise Isaac up, even from the dead: from where he also had received him (from the deadness of his own body) in the same way.

20 (Being persuaded) by the same faith (which was from the beginning and testified of the work which God would do in Christ, and the certainty of things not yet seen) Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning (good) things to come (not yet seen).

21 (Being persuaded) by the same faith (which was from the beginning and testified of the work which God would do in Christ, and the certainty of things not yet seen) Jacob, when he was a dying, (strengthened himself sitting upon his bed and) blessed both the sons of Joseph; (bowed his head) and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

22 (Being persuaded) by the same faith (which was from the beginning and testified of the work which God would do in Christ, and the certainty of things not yet seen) Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel (saying surely God will visit you, and will bring you out of this land to the land concerning which God promised to our fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob); and (for that reason) gave instructions concerning his bones.

23 (Being persuaded) by the same faith (which was from the beginning and testified of the work which God would do in Christ, and the certainty of things not yet seen) Moses, when he was born, was hid (and nourished up) three months of his parents, because they saw he was an exceedingly beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.

24 (Being persuaded) by the same faith (which was from the beginning and testified of the work which God would do in Christ, and the certainty of things not yet seen) Moses, when he was grown (to a full forty years old), he refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with (his brethren) the people of God, rather than enjoy the pleasures (of self-preservation which perish) that he could gather to himself (in Egypt) for a season;

26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ as greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: because he had the highest regard for and looked toward the (the promise of the riches of God’s life for) reward.

27 (Being persuaded) by the same faith (which was from the beginning and testified of the work which God would do in Christ, and the certainty of things not yet seen) he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he persevered by seeing (the faith of) Him who was not yet seen.

28 By (continually hearing this same) faith he observed the Passover (celebration of God’s promise to provide Himself the lamb), and the sprinkling of blood, so that the death which destroyed the firstborn could not touch them.

29 (Being persuaded) by the same faith they passed through the Red sea as if it were by dry ground: which the Egyptians attempting to do the same were drowned.

30 By (this same) faith (which was from the beginning and testified of the work which God would do in Christ, and the certainty of things not yet seen) the walls of Jericho fell down, having been encircled for seven days.

31 (Being persuaded) by the same faith (which was from the beginning and testified of the work which God would do in Christ, and the certainty of things not yet seen) the harlot Rahab did not perish with them who (disobeyed, not allowing themselves to be persuaded that it is God who would preserve their life and) believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

32 And what more shall I say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthah; of David also, and Samuel, and of all the prophets:

33 Who through the faith (which was from the beginning and testified of the work which God would do in Christ, and the certainty of things not yet seen) subdued kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

34 Quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were strengthened out of weakness, became mighty in battle, putting to flight the armies of the strangers.

35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured (in the world), not accepting (the world’s) deliverance; so that they might obtain a better (incorruptible) resurrection (from the dead):

36 And others received trials of (torture inflicted) mockings and scourging’s, in addition to chains and imprisonment:

37 They were stoned, they were sawed in two, were tried, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

38 Of whom the world (and the life it could offer them) was not fitting (to be compared to the life God promised to serve them with): they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in huts and caves of the earth (refusing any other life).

39 And all these, having obtained a good report through (the same word of) faith (that was from the beginning and was made flesh in Jesus Christ), received not the promise:

40 God having foreseen (that He would provide) something better for us, and that they (who saw the promises afar off) would not be made perfect apart from us (who have seen the promise made immortal flesh).