Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19
1Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not apparent. 2For this reason, the ancients were given testimony. 3By faith, we understand the world to be fashioned by the Word of God, so that the visible might be made by the invisible. 4By faith, Abel offered to God a much better sacrifice than that of Cain, through which he obtained testimony that he was just, in that God offered testimony to his gifts. And through that sacrifice, he still speaks to us, though he is dead. 5By faith, Enoch was transferred, so that he would not see death, and he was not found because God had transferred him. For before he was transferred, he had testimony that he pleased God. 6But without faith, it is impossible to please God. For whoever approaches God must believe that he exists, and that he rewards those who seek him. 7By faith, Noah, having accepted an answer about those things which were not yet seen, being afraid, fashioned an ark for the salvation of his house. Through the ark, he condemned the world, and was established as the heir of the justice that occurs through faith. 8By faith, the one called Abraham obeyed, going out to the place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9By faith, he stayed in the Land of the Promise as if in a foreign land, dwelling in cottages, with Isaac and Jacob, co-heirs of the same promise. 10For he was awaiting a city having firm foundations, whose designer and builder is God. 11By faith also, Sarah herself, being barren, received the ability to conceive offspring, even though she was past that age in life. For she believed him to be faithful, who had promised. 12Because of this, there were also born, from one who himself was as if dead, a multitude like the stars of heaven, who are, like the sand of the seashore, innumerable. 13All of these passed away, adhering to faith, not having received the promises, yet beholding them from afar and saluting them, and confessing themselves to be sojourners and guests upon the earth. 14For those who speak in this way are themselves indicating that they seek a homeland. 15And if, indeed, they had been mindful of the very place from which they departed, they certainly would have returned in time. 16But now they hunger for a better place, that is, Heaven. For this reason, God is not ashamed to be called their God. For he has prepared a city for them. 17By faith, Abraham, when he was tested, offered Isaac, so that he who had received the promises was offering up his only son. 18To him, it was said, “Through Isaac, shall your offspring be summoned,” 19indicating that God is even able to raise up from the dead. And thus, he also established him as a parable.