₁To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see. ₂It was by their faith that people of ancient times won God's approval.

₃It is by faith that we understand that the universe was created by God's word, so that what can be seen was made out of what cannot be seen.

₈It was faith that made Abraham obey when God called him to go out to a country which God had promised to give him. He left his own country without knowing where he was going. ₉By faith he lived as a foreigner in the country that God had promised him. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who received the same promise from God. ₁₀For Abraham was waiting for the city which God has designed and built, the city with permanent foundations.

₁₁It was faith that made Abraham able to become a father, even though he was too old and Sarah herself could not have children. He trusted God to keep his promise. ₁₂Though Abraham was practically dead, from this one man came as many descendants as there are stars in the sky, as many as the numberless grains of sand on the seashore.

₁₃It was in faith that all these persons died. They did not receive the things God had promised, but from a long way off they saw them and welcomed them, and admitted openly that they were foreigners and refugees on earth. ₁₄Those who say such things make it clear that they are looking for a country of their own. ₁₅They did not keep thinking about the country they had left; if they had, they would have had the chance to return. ₁₆Instead, it was a better country they longed for, the heavenly country. And so God is not ashamed for them to call him their God, because he has prepared a city for them.