011:016 but, as it is, we see them eager for a better land, that is to say, a heavenly one. For this reason God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has now prepared a city for them. 011:017 Through faith Abraham, as soon as God put him to the test, offered up Isaac. Yes, he who had joyfully welcomed the promises was on the point of sacrificing his only son 011:018 with regard to whom he had been told, "It is through Isaac that your posterity shall be traced." 011:019 For he reckoned that God is even able to raise a man up from among the dead, and, figuratively speaking, it was from among the dead that he received Isaac again. 011:020 Through faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even in connexion with things soon to come. 011:021 Through faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and, leaning on the top of his staff, worshipped God. 011:022 Through faith Joseph, when he was near his end, made mention of the departure of the descendants of Israel, and gave orders about his own body. 011:023 Through faith the child Moses was hid for three months by his parents, because they saw his rare beauty; and the king's edict had no terror for them. 011:024 Through faith Moses, when he grew to manhood, refused to be known as Pharaoh's daughter's son, 011:025 having determined to endure ill-treatment along with the people of God rather than enjoy the short-lived pleasures of sin; 011:026 because he deemed the reproaches which he might meet with in the service of the Christ to be greater riches than all the treasures of Egypt; for he fixed his gaze on the coming reward. 011:027 Through faith he left Egypt, not being frightened by the king's anger; for he held on his course as seeing the unseen One. 011:028 Through faith he instituted the Passover, and the sprinkling with blood so that the destroyer of the firstborn might not touch the Israelites. 011:029 Through faith they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing over dry land, but the Egyptians, when they tried to do the same, were swallowed up. 011:030 Through faith the walls of Jericho fell to the ground after being surrounded for seven days. 011:031 Through faith the notorious sinner Rahab did not perish along with the disobedient, for she had welcomed the spies and had sheltered them. 011:032 And why need I say more? For time will fail me if I tell the story of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, and of David and Samuel and the Prophets; 011:033 men who, as the result of faith, conquered whole kingdoms, brought about true justice, obtained promises from God, stopped lions' mouths,