15. If they had been thinking about the country that they had left, they would have had the opportunity to return to it.
16. But at this point in time, they are longing for a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore, God isn’t ashamed to be called their God—he has prepared a city for them.
17. By faith Abraham offered Isaac when he was tested. The one who received the promises was offering his only son.
18. He had been told concerning him, Your legitimate descendants will come from Isaac.
19. He figured that God could even raise him from the dead. So in a way he did receive him back from the dead.
20. By faith Isaac also blessed Jacob and Esau concerning their future.
21. By faith Jacob blessed each of Joseph’s sons as he was dying and bowed in worship over the head of his staff.
22. By faith Joseph recalled the exodus of the Israelites at the end of his life, and gave instructions about burying his bones.
23. By faith Moses was hidden by his parents for three months when he was born, because they saw that the child was beautiful and they weren’t afraid of the king’s orders.
24. By faith Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter when he was grown up.
25. He chose to be mistreated with God’s people instead of having the temporary pleasures of sin.
26. He thought that the abuses he suffered for Christ were more valuable than the treasures of Egypt, since he was looking forward to the reward.
27. By faith he left Egypt without being afraid of the king’s anger. He kept on going as if he could see what is invisible.
28. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, in order that the destroyer could not touch their firstborn children.
29. By faith they crossed the Red Sea as if they were on dry land, but when the Egyptians tried it, they were drowned.
30. By faith Jericho’s walls fell after the people marched around them for seven days.
31. By faith Rahab the prostitute wasn’t killed with the disobedient because she welcomed the spies in peace.
32. What more can I say? I would run out of time if I told you about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets.