Study Desk

Now faith is the reality^[a] of what is hoped for, the proof^[b] of what is not seen.^(a)

For our ancestors won God's approval by it.

By faith we understand that the universe was^[c] created by God's command,^[d](b) so that what is seen has been made from things that are not visible.

By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was approved as a righteous man, because God approved his gifts, and even though he is dead, he still speaks through his faith.^(c)

By faith Enoch was taken away so he did not experience death, and he was not to be found because God took him away. ^[e] For prior to his removal he was approved, since he had pleased God.^(d)

Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him.

By faith Noah, after he was warned about what was not yet seen and motivated by godly fear, built an ark to deliver his family. By faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.^(e)

By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went out to a place he was going to receive as an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he was going.^(f)

By faith he stayed as a foreigner in the land of promise, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, coheirs of the same promise.^(g)

For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.^(h)

By faith even Sarah herself, when she was unable to have children, received power to conceive offspring, even though she was past the age, since she^[f] considered that the One who had promised was faithful.⁽ⁱ⁾

Therefore from one man—in fact, from one as good as dead—came offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as innumerable as the grains of sand by the seashore.^(j)

These all died in faith without having received the promises, but they saw them from a distance,^(k) greeted them, and confessed that they were foreigners and temporary residents on the earth.^(l)

Now those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.

If they were thinking about where they came from, they would have had an opportunity to return.

But they now desire a better place—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.^(m)

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac.⁽ⁿ⁾ He received the promises and he was offering his unique son,

the one it had been said about, Your seed will be traced ^[g] through Isaac. ^(o)[h]

He considered God to be able even to raise someone from the dead,^(p) and as an illustration,^[i] he received him back.

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau^(q) concerning things to come.

By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and he worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. ^(r)[j]

By faith Joseph, as he was nearing the end of his life, mentioned the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions concerning his bones.^(s)

By faith, after Moses was born, he was hidden by his parents for three months, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they didn't fear the king's edict.^(t)

By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter

and chose to suffer with the people of God rather than to enjoy the short-lived pleasure of sin.^(u)

For he considered the reproach because of the Messiah to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, since his attention was on the reward.^(v)

By faith he left Egypt behind, not being afraid of the king's anger, for Moses persevered as one who sees Him who is invisible.^(w)

By faith he instituted the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn might not touch the Israelites.

By faith they crossed the Red Sea as though they were on dry land. When the Egyptians attempted to do this, they were drowned.^(x)

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after being encircled by the Israelites for seven days.

By faith Rahab the prostitute received the spies in peace and didn't perish with those who disobeyed.^(y)

And what more can I say? Time is too short for me to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah,^(z) David, Samuel, and the prophets,^(aa)

who by faith conquered kingdoms,^(ab) administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions,^(ac)

quenched the raging of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, gained strength after being weak, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.^(ad)

Women received their dead—they were raised to life again. Some men were tortured, not accepting release, so that they might gain a better resurrection,

and others experienced mockings and scourgings, as well as bonds and imprisonment.^(ae)

They were stoned,^[k](af) they were sawed in two, they died by the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins,^(ag) destitute, afflicted, and mistreated.

The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and on mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.

All these were approved through their faith, but they did not receive what was promised,

since God had provided something better for us, so that they would not be made perfect without us.^(ah)

Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses^(a) surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance^(b) the race that lies before us,

keeping our eyes on Jesus,^[a] the source and perfecter^[b] of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him^[c] endured a cross and despised the shame^(c) and has sat down at the right hand of God's throne.

For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, so that you won't grow weary and lose heart.^(d)

In struggling against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: My son, do not take the Lord's discipline lightly or faint when you are reproved by Him,

for the Lord disciplines the one He loves and punishes every son He receives. ^(e)[d]

Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline?

But if you are without discipline—which all^[e] receive^[f]—then you are illegitimate children and not sons.^(f)

Furthermore, we had natural fathers discipline us, and we respected them. Shouldn't we submit even more to the Father of spirits and live?^(g)

For they disciplined us for a short time based on what seemed good to them, but He does it for our benefit, so that we can share His holiness.^(h)

No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace⁽ⁱ⁾ and righteousness to those who have been trained by it.^(j)

Therefore strengthen your tired hands and weakened knees,^(k)

and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated^[g] but healed instead.^(l)

Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness^(m)—without it no one will see the Lord.⁽ⁿ⁾

Make sure that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and by it, defiling many.^(o)

And make sure that there isn't any immoral or irreverent^(p) person like Esau, who sold his birthright in exchange for one meal.^(q)

For you know that later, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected because he didn't find any opportunity for repentance, though he sought it with tears.^(r)

For you have not come to what could be touched, to a blazing fire, to darkness, gloom, and storm,

to the blast of a trumpet, and the sound of words. (Those who heard it begged that not another word be spoken to them,

for they could not bear what was commanded: And if even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned! ^(s)[h]

The appearance was so terrifying that Moses said, I am terrified and trembling. ^(t)[i])

Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God (the heavenly Jerusalem), to myriads of angels in festive gathering,^(u)

to the assembly of the firstborn whose names have been written^[j] in heaven, to God who is the Judge of all, to the spirits of righteous people made perfect,^(v)

to Jesus (mediator^(w) of a new covenant^(x)), and to the sprinkled blood, which says better things than the blood of Abel.^(y)

Make sure that you do not reject the One who speaks. For if they did not escape when they rejected Him who warned them on earth, even less will we if we turn away from Him who warns us from heaven.^(z)

His voice shook the earth at that time, but now He has promised, Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also heaven. ^(aa)[k]

This expression, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of what can be shaken^(ab)—that is, created things—so that what is not shaken might remain.

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us hold on to grace.^[l] By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe,^(ac)

for our God is a consuming fire.^(ad)

Let brotherly love^(a) continue.

Don't neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it.^(b)

Remember the prisoners, as though you were in prison with them, and the mistreated, as though you yourselves were suffering bodily.^[a]

Marriage must be respected by all, and the marriage bed kept undefiled, because God will judge immoral people and adulterers.^(c)

Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you. ^(d)[b]

Therefore, we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? ^(e)[c]

Remember your leaders who have spoken God's word to you. As you carefully observe the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith.^(f)

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.^(g)

Don't be led astray by various kinds of strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be established by grace and not by foods, since those involved in them have not benefited.^(h)

We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle do not have a right to eat.⁽ⁱ⁾

For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the most holy place by the high priest^(j) as a sin offering are burned outside the camp.^(k)

Therefore Jesus also suffered outside the gate,^(l) so that He might sanctify^[d] the people by His own blood.

Let us then go to Him outside the camp, bearing His disgrace.^(m)

For we do not have an enduring city here; instead, we seek the one to come.⁽ⁿ⁾

Therefore, through Him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of our lips that confess His name.^(o)

Don't neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.^(p)

Obey your leaders^[e] and submit to them, for they keep watch^(q) over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

Pray for us; for we are convinced that we have a clear conscience, wanting to conduct ourselves honorably in everything.^(r)

And I especially urge you to pray^[f] that I may be restored to you very soon.

Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus—the great Shepherd of the sheep^(s)—with the blood of the everlasting covenant,^(t)

equip^[g] you with all that is good to do His will, working in us what is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ. Glory belongs to Him forever and ever.^[h](u) Amen.

Brothers, I urge you to receive this message of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly.

Be aware that our brother Timothy has been released. If he comes soon enough, he will be with me when I see you.

Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who are from Italy greet you.

Grace be with all of you.^(v)