011:001 Now faith is a well-grounded assurance of that for which we hope, and a conviction of the reality of things which we do not see. 011:002 For by it the saints of old won God's approval. 011:003 Through faith we understand that the worlds came into being, and still exist, at the command of God, so that what is seen does not owe its existence to that which is visible. 011:004 Through faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain did, and through this faith he obtained testimony that he was righteous, God giving the testimony by accepting his gifts; and through it, though he is dead, he still speaks. 011:005 Through faith Enoch was taken from the earth so that he did not see death, and he could not be found, because God had taken him; for before he was taken we have evidence that he truly pleased God. 011:006 But where there is no faith it is impossible truly to please Him; for the man who draws near to God must believe that there is a God and that He proves Himself a rewarder of those who earnestly try to find Him. 011:007 Through faith Noah, being divinely taught about things as yet unseen, reverently gave heed and built an ark for the safety of his family, and by this act he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which depends on faith. 011:008 Through faith Abraham, upon being called to leave home and go into a land which he was soon to receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing where he was going to. 011:009 Through faith he came and made his home for a time in a land which had been promised to him, as if in a foreign country, living in tents together with Isaac and Jacob, sharers with him in the same promise; 011:010 for he continually looked forward to the city which has the foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 011:011 Through faith even Sarah herself received strength to become a mother--although she was past the time of life for this-- because she judged Him faithful who had given the promise. 011:012 And thus there sprang from one man, and him practically dead, a nation like the stars of the sky in number, and like the sands on the sea shore which cannot be counted. 011:013 All these died in the possession of faith. They had not received the promised blessings, but had seen them from a distance and had greeted them, and had acknowledged themselves to be foreigners and strangers here on earth; 011:014 for men who acknowledge this make it manifest that they are seeking elsewhere a country of their own. 011:015 And if they had cherished the remembrance of the country they had left, they would have found an opportunity to return;