Faith and Assurance (Genesis 1:1–2; John 1:1–5)
2 DBY For in the power of this the elders have obtained testimony. BSB BSB: This is why the ancients were commended.
3 DBY By faith we apprehend that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that that which is seen should not take its origin from things which appear. BSB BSB: By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
The Faith of Abel, Enoch, Noah (Genesis 4–9)
4 DBY By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained testimony of being righteous, God bearing testimony to his gifts, and by it, having died, he yet speaks. BSB BSB: By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous when God gave approval to his gifts. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.
7 DBY By faith, Noah, oracularly warned concerning things not yet seen, moved with fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his house; by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. BSB BSB: By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in godly fear built an ark to save his family. By faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
The Faith of Abraham and Sarah (Genesis 15–22; Romans 4:1–12)
8 DBY By faith Abraham, being called, obeyed to go out into the place which he was to receive for an inheritance, and went out, not knowing where he was going. BSB BSB: By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going.
9 DBY By faith he sojourned as a stranger in the land of promise as a foreign country, having dwelt in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; BSB BSB: By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.
10 DBY for he waited for the city which has foundations, of which God is the artificer and constructor. BSB BSB: For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
11 DBY By faith also Sarah herself received strength for the conception of seed, and that beyond a seasonable age; since she counted him faithful who promised. BSB BSB: By faith Sarah, even though she was barren and beyond the proper age, was enabled to conceive a child, because she considered Him faithful who had promised.
12 DBY Wherefore also there have been born of one, and that of one become dead, even as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the countless sand which is by the sea shore. BSB BSB: And so from one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
13 DBY All these died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them from afar off and embraced them , and confessed that they were strangers and sojourners on the earth. BSB BSB: All these people died in faith, without having received the things they were promised. However, they saw them and welcomed them from afar. And they acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
14 DBY For they who say such things shew clearly that they seek their country. BSB BSB: Now those who say such things show that they are seeking a country of their own.
15 DBY And if they had called to mind that from whence they went out, they had had opportunity to have returned; BSB BSB: If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.
16 DBY but now they seek a better, that is, a heavenly; wherefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God; for he has prepared for them a city. BSB BSB: Instead, they were longing for a better country, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
18 DBY as to whom it had been said, In Isaac shall thy seed be called: BSB BSB: even though God had said to him, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.”
19 DBY counting that God was able to raise him even from among the dead, whence also he received him in a figure. BSB BSB: Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and in a sense, he did receive Isaac back from death.
The Faith of Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph (Genesis 27–50)
20 DBY By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. BSB BSB: By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning the future.
21 DBY By faith Jacob when dying blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshipped on the top of his staff. BSB BSB: By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.
22 DBY By faith Joseph when dying called to mind the going forth of the sons of Israel, and gave commandment concerning his bones. BSB BSB: By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions about his bones.
The Faith of Moses (Exodus 2–15; Acts 7:20–22)
23 DBY By faith Moses, being born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw the child beautiful; and they did not fear the injunction of the king. BSB BSB: By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after his birth, because they saw that he was a beautiful child, and they were unafraid of the king’s edict.
24 DBY By faith Moses, when he had become great, refused to be called son of Pharaoh's daughter; BSB BSB: By faith Moses, when he was grown, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.
25 DBY choosing rather to suffer affliction along with the people of God than to have the temporary pleasure of sin; BSB BSB: He chose to suffer oppression with God’s people rather than to experience the fleeting enjoyment of sin.
26 DBY esteeming the reproach of the Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt, for he had respect to the recompense. BSB BSB: He valued disgrace for Christ above the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his reward.
27 DBY By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he persevered, as seeing him who is invisible. BSB BSB: By faith Moses left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw Him who is invisible.
28 DBY By faith he celebrated the passover and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them. BSB BSB: By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch Israel’s own firstborn.
29 DBY By faith they passed through the Red sea as through dry land; of which the Egyptians having made trial were swallowed up. BSB BSB: By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were drowned.
The Faith of Many (Joshua–Malachi)
30 DBY By faith the walls of Jericho fell, having been encircled for seven days. BSB BSB: By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.
31 DBY By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with the unbelieving, having received the spies in peace. BSB BSB: By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies in peace, did not perish with those who were disobedient.
32 DBY And what more do I say? For the time would fail me telling of Gideon, and Barak, and Samson, and Jephthah, and David and Samuel, and of the prophets: BSB BSB: And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, 33 DBY who by faith overcame kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped lions' mouths, BSB BSB: who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions,
34 DBY quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, became strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, made the armies of strangers give way. BSB BSB: quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.
36 DBY and others underwent trial of mockings and scourgings, yea, and of bonds and imprisonment. BSB BSB: Still others endured mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.
37 DBY They were stoned, were sawn asunder, were tempted, died by the death of the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, destitute, afflicted, evil treated, BSB BSB: They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they were put to death by the sword. They went around in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, oppressed, and mistreated.
38 DBY (of whom the world was not worthy,) wandering in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caverns of the earth. BSB BSB: The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and hid in caves and holes in the ground.
39 DBY And these all, having obtained witness through faith, did not receive the promise, BSB BSB: These were all commended for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised.
40 DBY God having foreseen some better thing for us, that they should not be made perfect without us. BSB BSB: God had planned something better for us, so that together with us they would be made perfect.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.