Hebrews 11

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.	1 Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.	2 Because of it the ancients were well attested.
3 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 do appear.	3 By faith we understand that the universe was ordered by the word of God, so that what is visible came into being through the invisible.
4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.	4 By faith Abel offered to God a sacrifice greater than Cain's. Through this he was attested to be righteous, God bearing witness to his gifts, and through this, though dead, he still speaks.
5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.	5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and "he was found no more because God had taken him." Before he was taken up, he was attested to have pleased God.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.	6 But without faith it is impossible to please him, for anyone who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.	7 By faith Noah, warned about what was not yet seen, with reverence built an ark for the salvation of his household. Through this he condemned the world and inherited the righteousness that comes through faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.	8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; he went out, not knowing where he was to go.
9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:	9 By faith he sojourned in the promised land as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs of the same promise;
10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.	10 for he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and maker is God.
11 Through faith also Sara 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.	11 By faith he received power to generate, even though he was past the normal age--and Sarah herself was sterile--for he thought that the one who had made the promise was trustworthy.
12 Therefore sprang there even of 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.	12 So it was that there came forth from one man, himself as good as dead, descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sands on the seashore.
13 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.	13 All these died in faith. They did not receive what had been promised but saw it and greeted it from afar and acknowledged themselves to be strangers and aliens on earth,
14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.	14 for those who speak thus show that they are seeking a homeland.
15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.	15 If they had been thinking of the land from which they had come, they would have had opportunity to return.
16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.	16 But now they desire a better homeland, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,	17 By faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was ready to offer his only son,
18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:	18 of whom it was said, "Through Isaac descendants shall bear your name."
19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.	19 He reasoned that God was able to raise even from the dead, and he received Isaac back as a symbol.
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.	20 By faith regarding things still to come Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau.
21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.	21 By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph and "bowed in worship, leaning on the top of his staff."
22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.	22 By faith Joseph, near the end of his life, spoke of the Exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions about his bones.
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.	23 By faith Moses was hidden by his parents for three months after his birth, because they saw that he was a beautiful child, and they were not afraid of the king's edict.
24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;	24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;	25 he chose to be ill-treated along with the people of God rather than enjoy the fleeting pleasure of sin.
26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.	26 He considered the reproach of the Anointed greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the recompense.
27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.	27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's fury, for he persevered as if seeing the one who is invisible.
28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.	28 By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.
29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.	29 By faith they crossed the Red Sea as if it were dry land, but when the Egyptians attempted it they were drowned.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.	30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell after being encircled for seven days.
31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.	31 By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish with the disobedient, for she had received the spies in peace.
32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:	32 What more shall I say? I have not time to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets,
33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,	33 who by faith conquered kingdoms, did what was righteous, obtained the promises; they closed the mouths of lions,
34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.	34 put out raging fires, escaped the devouring sword; out of weakness they were made powerful, became strong in battle, and turned back foreign invaders.
35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:	35 Women received back their dead through resurrection. Some were tortured and would not accept deliverance, in order to obtain a better resurrection.
36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:	36 Others endured mockery, scourging, even chains and imprisonment.
37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;	37 They were stoned, sawed in two, put to death at sword's point; they went about in skins of sheep or goats, needy, afflicted, tormented.
38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.	38 The world was not worthy of them. They wandered about in deserts and on mountains, in caves and in crevices in the earth.
39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:	39 Yet all these, though approved because of their faith, did not receive what had been promised.
40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.	40 God had foreseen something better for us, so that without us they should not be made perfect.