Chapter 11
1. Now faith is the substance of things to be hoped for, the evidence of things that appear not.
2. For by this the ancients obtained a testimony.
3. By faith we understand that the world was framed by the word of God; that from invisible things visible things might be made.
4. By faith Abel offered to God a sacrifice exceeding that of Cain, by which he obtained a testimony that he was just, God giving testimony to his gifts; and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
5. By faith Henoch was translated, that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had testimony that he pleased God.
6. But without faith it is impossible to please God. For he that cometh to God, must believe that he is, and is a rewarder to them that seek him.
7. By faith Noe, having received an answer concerning those things which as yet were not seen, moved with fear, framed the ark for the saving of his house, by the which he condemned the world; and was instituted heir of the justice which is by faith.
8. By faith he that is called Abraham, obeyed to go out into a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
9. By faith he abode in the land, dwelling in cottages, with Isaac and Jacob, the co-heirs of the same promise.
10. For he looked for a city that hath foundations; whose builder and maker is God.
11. 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,
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. For they that say these things, do signify that they seek a country. 15 And truly if they had been mindful of that from whence they came out, they had doubtless time to return.
16. 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.
17. By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered Isaac: and he that had received the promises, offered up his only begotten son;
18. (To whom it was said: In Isaac shall thy seed be called.)
19. Accounting that God is able to raise up even from the dead. Whereupon also he received him for a parable.
20. By faith also of things to come, Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau.
21. By faith Jacob dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and adored the top of his rod.
22. By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the going out of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
23. 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.
24. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, denied himself to be the son of Pharao's daughter;
25. Rather choosing to be afflicted with the people of God, than to have the pleasure of sin for a time,
26. Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasure of the Egyptians. For he looked unto the reward.
27. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the fierceness of the king: for he endured as seeing him that is invisible.
28. By faith he celebrated the pasch, and the shedding of the blood; that he, who destroyed the firstborn, might not touch them.
29. By faith they passed through the Red Sea, as by dry land: which the Egyptians attempting, were swallowed up.
30. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, by the going round them seven days.
31. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with the unbelievers, receiving the spies with peace.
32. And what shall I yet say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, Barac, Samson, Jephthe, David, Samuel, and the prophets:
33. Who by faith conquered kingdoms, wrought justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34. Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, recovered strength from weakness, became valiant in battle, put to flight the armies of foreigners:
35. Women received their dead raised to life again. But others were racked, not accepting deliverance, that they might find a better resurrection.
36. And others had trial of mockeries and stripes, moreover also of bands and prisons.
37. They were stoned, they were cut asunder, they were tempted, they were put to death by the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being in want, distressed, afflicted:
38. Of whom the world was not worthy; wandering in deserts, in mountains, and in dens, and in caved of the earth.
39. And all these being approved by the testimony of faith, received not the promise;
40. God providing some better thing for us, that they should not be perfected without us.
Chapter 12
1. And therefore we also having so great a cloud of witnesses over our head, laying aside every weight and sin which surrounds us, let us run by patience to the fight proposed to us:
2. Looking on Jesus, the author and finisher of faith, who having joy set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and now sitteth on the right hand of the throne of God.
3. For think diligently upon him that endured such opposition from sinners against himself; that you be not wearied, fainting in your minds.
4. For you have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin:
5. And you have forgotten the consolation, which speaketh to you, as unto children, saying: My son, neglect not the discipline of the Lord; neither be thou wearied whilst thou art rebuked by him.
6. For whom the Lord loveth, he chastiseth; and he scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7. Persevere under discipline. God dealeth with you as with his sons; for what son is there, whom the father doth not correct?
8. But if you be without chastisement, whereof all are made partakers, then are you bastards, and not sons.
9. Moreover we have had fathers of our flesh, for instructors, and we reverenced them: shall we not much more obey the Father of spirits, and live?
10. And they indeed for a few days, according to their own pleasure, instructed us: but he, for our profit, that we might receive his sanctification.
11. Now all chastisement for the present indeed seemeth not to bring with it joy, but sorrow: but afterwards it will yield, to them that are exercised by it, the most peaceable fruit of justice.
12. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees,
13. And make straight steps with your feet: that no one, halting, may go out of the way; but rather be healed.
14. Follow peace with all men, and holiness: without which no man shall see God.
15. Looking diligently, lest any man be wanting to the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up do hinder, and by it many be defiled.
16. Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau; who for one mess, sold his first birthright.
17. For know ye that afterwards, when he desired to inherit the benediction, he was rejected; for he found no place of repentance, although with tears he had sought it.
18. For you are not come to a mountain that might be touched, and a burning fire, and a whirlwind, and darkness, and storm,
19. And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words, which they that heard excused themselves, that the word might not be spoken to them:
20. For they did not endure that which was said: And if so much as a beast shall touch the mount, it shall be stoned.
21. And so terrible was that which was seen, Moses said: I am frighted, and tremble.
22. But you are come to mount Sion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to the company of many thousands of angels,
23. And to the church of the firstborn, who are written in the heavens, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the just made perfect,
24. And to Jesus the mediator of the new testament, and to the sprinkling of blood which speaketh better than that of Abel.
25. See that you refuse him not that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spoke upon the earth, much more shall not we, that turn away from him that speaketh to us from heaven.
26. Whose voice then moved the earth; but now he promiseth, saying: Yet once more, and I will move not only the earth, but heaven also.
27. And in that he saith, Yet once more, he signifieth the translation of the moveable things as made, that those things may remain which are immoveable.
28. Therefore receiving an immoveable kingdom, we have grace; whereby let us serve, pleasing God, with fear and reverence.
29. For our God is a consuming fire.
Chapter 13
1. Let the charity of the brotherhood abide in you.
2. And hospitality do not forget; for by this some, being not aware of it, have entertained angels.
3. Remember them that are in bands, as if you were bound with them; and them that labour, as being yourselves also in the body.
4. Marriage honourable in all, and the bed undefiled. For fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
5. Let your manners be without covetousness, contented with such things as you have; for he hath said: I will not leave thee, neither will I forsake thee.
6. So that we may confidently say: The Lord is my helper: I will not fear what man shall do to me.
7. Remember your prelates who have spoken the word of God to you; whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation,
8. Jesus Christ, yesterday, and to day; and the same for ever.
9. Be not led away with various and strange doctrines. For it is best that the heart be established with grace, not with meats; which have not profited those that walk in them.
10. We have an altar, whereof they have no power to eat who serve the tabernacle.
11. For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the holies by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
12. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people by his own blood, suffered without the gate.
13. Let us go forth therefore to him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
14. For we have not here a lasting city, but we seek one that is to come.
15. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise always to God, that is to say, the fruit of lips confessing to his name.
16. And do not forget to do good, and to impart; for by such sacrifices God's favour is obtained.
17. Obey your prelates, and be subject to them. For they watch as being to render an account of your souls; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief. For this is not expedient for you.
18. Pray for us. For we trust we have a good conscience, being willing to behave ourselves well in all things.
19. And I beseech you the more to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
20. And may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great pastor of the sheep, our Lord Jesus Christ, in the blood of the everlasting testament,
21. Fit you in all goodness, that you may do his will; doing in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom is glory for ever and ever. Amen.
22. And I beseech you, brethren, that you suffer this word of consolation. For I have written to you in a few words.
23. Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty: with whom (if he come shortly) I will see you.
24. Salute all your prelates, and all the saints. The brethren from Italy salute you.
25. Grace be with you all. Amen.
