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Chapter 11
(2 Corinthians 12 KJV) "It is not expedient for me d(Hebrews 11
KJV) "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence
of things not seen. {2} For by it the elders obtained a good report.
{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. {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. {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. {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. {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. {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. {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: {10} For he looked
for a city which hath foundations, whose builder 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. {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. {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. {14} For they that say such things declare
plainly that they seek a country. {15} And truly, if they had been
mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have
had opportunity to have returned. {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. {17} By
faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had
received the promises offered up his only begotten son. {18} Of whom
it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: {19} Accounting
that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence
also he received him in a figure. {20} By faith Isaac blessed Jacob
and Esau concerning things to come. {21} By faith Jacob, when he was
a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning
upon 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. {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.
{24} By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called
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; {26} Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater
riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the
recompense of the reward. {27} By faith he forsook Egypt, not
fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is
invisible. {28} Through faith he kept the passover, and the
sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should
touch them. {29} By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry
land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. {30} By faith
the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about
seven days. {31} By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them
that believed not, when she had received the spies with 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: {33} Who
through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained
promises, stopped 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. {35} Women received their dead raised to life again: and
others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might
obtain a better resurrection: {36} And others had trial of cruel
mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds 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; {38} (Of whom the
world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains,
and in dens and caves of the earth. {39} And these all, having
obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: {40}
God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us
should not be made perfect."
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Painting:
St. Paul by Rembrandt van Rijn
The
Sinless Life
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