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 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, “Through Isaac descendants shall bear your name.”
19. He reasoned that God was able to raise even from the dead, and he received Isaac back as a symbol.
20. By faith regarding things still to come Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau.
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, near the end of his life, spoke of the Exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions about his bones.
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 had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;
25. he chose to be ill-treated along with the people of God rather than enjoy the fleeting pleasure of sin.
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 left Egypt, not fearing the king’s fury, for he persevered as if seeing the one who is invisible.
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 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 after being encircled for seven days.
31. By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish with the disobedient, for she had received the spies in peace.
32. What more shall I say? I have not time to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets,