Study Desk

For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as those also did, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united with those who heard it in faith.

Therefore, leaving behind the elementary message about Christ, let us move on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and faith in God,

in order that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and patience.

let us approach with a true heart in the full assurance of faith, our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

But my righteous one will live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul is not well pleased with him."

But we are not among those who shrink back to destruction, but among those who have faith to the preservation of our souls.

Now faith is the realization of what is hoped for, the proof of things not seen.

By faith we understand the worlds were created by the word of God, in order that what is seen did not come into existence from what is visible.

By faith Abel offered to God a greater sacrifice than Cain, by which he was approved that he was righteous, because God approved him for his gifts, and through it he still speaks, although he is dead.

By faith Enoch was taken up, so that he did not experience death, and he was not found, because God took him up. For before his removal, he had been approved as having been pleasing to God.

Now without faith it is impossible to please him, for the one who approaches God must believe that he exists and is a rewarder of those who seek him.

By faith Noah, having been warned about things not yet seen, out of reverence constructed an ark for the deliverance of his family, by which he pronounced sentence on the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out to a place that he was going to receive for an inheritance, and he went out, not knowing where he was going.

By faith he lived in the land of promise as a stranger, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the fellow heirs of the same promise.

By faith also, with Sarah, he received the ability to procreate even past the normal age, because he regarded the one who had promised to be faithful.

These all died in faith without receiving the promises, but seeing them from a distance and welcoming them, and admitting that they were strangers and temporary residents on the earth.

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered Isaac, and the one who received the promises was ready to offer his one and only son,

By faith also Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things that were going to happen.

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

By faith Joseph, as he was dying, mentioned about the exodus of the sons of Israel and gave instructions about his bones.