Faith and Assurance (Genesis 1:1–2; John 1:1–5)
2 RV For therein the elders had witness borne to them. BSB BSB: This is why the ancients were commended.
3 RV By faith we understand that the worlds have been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen hath not been made out of things which do 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 RV By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had witness borne to him that he was righteous, God bearing witness in respect of his gifts: and through 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 RV By faith Noah, being warned of God concerning things not seen as yet, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; through 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 RV By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out unto 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 RV By faith he became a sojourner in the land of promise, as in a land not his own, dwelling 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 RV for he looked for the city which hath the 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 RV By faith even Sarah herself received power to conceive seed when she was past age, since she counted him 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 RV wherefore also there sprang of one, and him as good as dead, so many 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 RV These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims 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 RV For they that say such things make it manifest that they are seeking after a country of their own. BSB BSB: Now those who say such things show that they are seeking a country of their own.
15 RV And if indeed they had been mindful of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. BSB BSB: If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.
16 RV But now they desire a better country , that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed of them, 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 RV even he 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 RV accounting that God is able to raise up, even from the dead; from whence he did also in a parable receive him back. 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 RV By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. BSB BSB: By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning the future.
21 RV By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon 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 RV By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure 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 RV By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw he was a goodly child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment. 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 RV By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the 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 RV choosing rather to be evil entreated with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; BSB BSB: He chose to suffer oppression with God’s people rather than to experience the fleeting enjoyment of sin.
26 RV accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he looked unto the recompense of reward. BSB BSB: He valued disgrace for Christ above the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his reward.
27 RV By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, 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 RV By faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should 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 RV By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do 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 RV By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. BSB BSB: By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.
31 RV By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, having received 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 RV And what shall I more say? for the time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah; of David and 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 RV who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, 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 RV quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, waxed mighty in war, turned to flight armies of aliens. 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 RV and others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: BSB BSB: Still others endured mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.
37 RV they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, they were tempted, they were slain with the sword: they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, evil entreated 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 RV (of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves, and the holes 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 RV And these all, having had witness borne to them through their faith, received not the promise, BSB BSB: These were all commended for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised.
40 RV God having provided some better thing concerning us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. 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.