Faith and Assurance (Genesis 1:1–2; John 1:1–5)
2 DRA For by this the ancients obtained a testimony. BSB BSB: This is why the ancients were commended.
3 DRA By faith we understand that the world was framed by the word of God; that from invisible things visible things might be made. 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 DRA 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. 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 DRA 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. 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 DRA 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. 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 DRA By faith he abode in the land, dwelling in cottages, with Isaac and Jacob, the co-heirs 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 DRA For he looked for a city that hath foundations; whose builder and maker is God. BSB BSB: For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
11 DRA 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, 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 DRA 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. 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 DRA 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. 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 DRA For they that say these things, do signify that they seek a country. BSB BSB: Now those who say such things show that they are seeking a country of their own.
15 DRA And truly if they had been mindful of that from whence they came out, they had doubtless time to return. BSB BSB: If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.
16 DRA 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. 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 DRA (To whom it was 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 DRA Accounting that God is able to raise up even from the dead. Whereupon also he received him for a parable. 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 DRA By faith also of things to come, Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau. BSB BSB: By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning the future.
21 DRA By faith Jacob dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and adored the top of his rod. 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 DRA By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the going out of the children 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 DRA 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. 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 DRA By faith Moses, when he was grown up, denied himself to be the son of Pharao’s daughter; BSB BSB: By faith Moses, when he was grown, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.
25 DRA Rather choosing to be afflicted with the people of God, than to have the pleasure of sin for a time, BSB BSB: He chose to suffer oppression with God’s people rather than to experience the fleeting enjoyment of sin.
26 DRA Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasure of the Egyptians. For he looked unto the reward. BSB BSB: He valued disgrace for Christ above the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his reward.
27 DRA By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the fierceness of the king: for he endured as seeing him that 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 DRA By faith he celebrated the pasch, and the shedding of the blood; that he, who destroyed 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 DRA By faith they passed through the Red Sea, as by dry land: which the Egyptians attempting, 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 DRA By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, by the going round them seven days. BSB BSB: By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.
31 DRA By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with the unbelievers, receiving the spies with peace. BSB BSB: By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies in peace, did not perish with those who were disobedient.
32 DRA And what shall I yet say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, Barac, Samson, Jephthe, David, Samuel, and 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 DRA Who by faith conquered kingdoms, wrought justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, BSB BSB: who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions,
34 DRA 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: 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 DRA And others had trial of mockeries and stripes, moreover also of bands and prisons. BSB BSB: Still others endured mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.
37 DRA 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: 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 DRA Of whom the world was not worthy; wandering in deserts, in mountains, and in dens, and in caved 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 DRA And all these being approved by the testimony of faith, received not the promise; BSB BSB: These were all commended for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised.
40 DRA God providing some better thing for us, that they should not be perfected 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.