2 Corinthians 5:7

¹Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen. ²For by this, the elders obtained approval. ³By faith we understand that the universe has been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen has not been made out of things which are visible.

⁴By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had testimony given to him that he was righteous, God testifying with respect to his gifts; and through it he, being dead, still speaks.

⁵By faith Enoch was taken away, so that he wouldn’t see death, and he was not found, because God translated him. For he has had testimony given to him that before his translation he had been well pleasing to God. ⁶Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to him, for he who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him.

⁷By faith Noah, being warned about things not yet seen, moved with godly fear,^[+] prepared a ship for the saving of his house, through which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

⁸By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out to the place which he was to receive for an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he went. ⁹By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a land not his own, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise. ¹⁰For he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

¹¹By faith even Sarah herself received power to conceive, and she bore a child when she was past age, since she counted him faithful who had promised. ¹²Therefore as many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as innumerable as the sand which is by the sea shore, were fathered by one man, and him as good as dead.

¹³These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen^[+] them and embraced them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. ¹⁴For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. ¹⁵If indeed they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had enough time to return. ¹⁶But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

¹⁷By faith, Abraham, being tested, offered up Isaac. Yes, he who had gladly received the promises was offering up his only born^18[+] to whom it was said, “Your offspring will be accounted as from Isaac,” ¹⁹concluding that God is able to raise up even from the dead. Figuratively speaking, he also did receive him back from the dead.

²⁰By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come.

²¹By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.

²²By faith Joseph, when his end was near, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.

²³By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.

²⁴By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, ²⁵choosing rather to share ill treatment with God’s people than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a time, ²⁶considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the reward. ²⁷By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

¹⁸while we don’t look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

²⁴For we were saved in hope, but hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for that which he sees? ²⁵But if we hope for that which we don’t see, we wait for it with patience.

⁸whom, not having known, you love. In him, though now you don’t see him, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy that is unspeakable and full of glory,

³⁸But the righteous one will live by faith. If he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”

²⁰I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me.

⁹Withstand him steadfast in your faith, knowing that your brothers who are in the world are undergoing the same sufferings.

¹²For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known.

²⁴We don’t control your faith, but are fellow workers with you for your joy. For you stand firm in faith.

⁹for you haven’t yet come to the rest and to the inheritance which the LORD your God gives you.