Study Desk

For by it our ancestors won approval.Hebrews 11:39;">[xr]

By faith Enoch was taken away without experiencing death. He could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he won approval as one who pleased God.Genesis 5:22,24;">[xr]

Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who diligently search for him.

For he was waiting for the city with permanent foundations, whose architect and builder is God.Hebrews 3:4; 12:22; 13:14; Revelation 21:2,10;">[xr]

For people who say such things make it clear that they are looking for a country of their own.Hebrews 13:14;">[xr]

Instead, they were longing for a better country, that is, a heavenly one. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, because he has prepared a city for them.Exodus 3:6,15; Matthew 22:32; Acts 7:32; Philippians 3:20; Hebrews 13:14;">[xr]

about whom it had been said, "It is through Isaac that descendants will be named for you."Genesis 21:12">[fn]Genesis 21:12; Romans 9:7;">[xr]

By faith Moses was hidden by his parents for three months after he was born, because they saw that he was a beautiful child and were not afraid of the king's order.Exodus 1:16,22; 2:2; Acts 7:20;">[xr]

because he preferred being mistreated with God's people to enjoying the pleasures of sin for a short time.Psalm 84:10;">[xr]

He thought that being insulted for the sake of Christ[fn] was of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.Hebrews 10:35; 13:13;">[xr]

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.Joshua 6:20;">[xr]

And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell you about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets.Judges 4:6; 6:11; 11:1; 12:7; 13:24; 1 Samuel 1:20; 12:20; 17:45;">[xr]

All these people won approval for their faith but did not receive what was promised,Hebrews 11:2,13;">[xr]

since God had planned something better for us so that they would not become perfect without us.Hebrews 5:9; 7:22; 8:6; 12:23; Revelation 6:11;">[xr]

For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,Psalm 94:12; 119:75; Proverbs 3:12; James 1:12; Revelation 3:19;">[xr] and he punisheswhips">[fn] every son he accepts."Proverbs 3:11-12">[fn]

What you endure is for the sake of discipline. God is treating you as sons. Is there a son whom his father does not discipline?Deuteronomy 8:5; 2 Samuel 7:14; Proverbs 13:24; 19:18; 23:13;">[xr]

Furthermore, we had earthly fathers who used to discipline us, and we respected them for it. We should even more submit to the Father of our spirits and live, shouldn't we?Numbers 16:22; 27:16; Job 1:12:10; Ecclesiastes 12:7; Isaiah 42:5; 57:16; Zechariah 12:1;">[xr]

For a short time they disciplined us as they thought best, but he does it for our good, so that we may share in his holiness.Leviticus 11:44; 19:2; 1 Peter 1:15-16;">[xr]

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, for those who have been trained by it, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace.James 3:18;">[xr]

and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not become worse but rather be healed.Proverbs 4:26-27; Galatians 6:1;">[xr]