Faith and Assurance (Genesis 1:1–2; John 1:1–5)
2 WBS For by it the elders obtained a good report. BSB BSB: This is why the ancients were commended.
3 WBS Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which appeared. 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 WBS By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained testimony that he was righteous, God testifying of 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 WBS By faith Noah, being warned by God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness 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 WBS By faith Abraham, when he was called to remove into a place which he should afterwards receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out not knowing whither 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 WBS By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign country, dwelling in tabernacles 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 WBS For he looked for a city which 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 WBS Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged 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 WBS Therefore there sprang even from one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky 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 WBS These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them , and embraced them , and 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 WBS For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. BSB BSB: Now those who say such things show that they are seeking a country of their own.
15 WBS And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came, they might 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 WBS But now they desire a better country , that is, a heavenly: wherefore 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 WBS Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: BSB BSB: even though God had said to him, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.”
19 WBS Accounting that God was able to raise him even from the dead; from 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 WBS By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. BSB BSB: By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning the future.
21 WBS By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshiped, 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 WBS By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing 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 WBS By faith Moses when he was born, was hid three months by his parents, because they saw he was a proper 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 WBS By faith Moses, when he had come to years, 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 WBS Choosing rather to suffer affliction 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 WBS Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he had respect to the recompense of the reward. BSB BSB: He valued disgrace for Christ above the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his reward.
27 WBS 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 WBS Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the first-born should 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 WBS By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land : which the Egyptians essaying to do were drowned. 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 WBS By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encompassed seven days. BSB BSB: By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.
31 WBS By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, as she had 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 WBS And what shall I say more? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthah, of David also, 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 WBS 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 WBS Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the 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 WBS And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, and, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: BSB BSB: Still others endured mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.
37 WBS They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheep-skins, and goat-skins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 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 WBS (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves 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 WBS And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: BSB BSB: These were all commended for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised.
40 WBS God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us 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.