16. But they were looking forward to a better home in heaven. That's why God wasn't ashamed for them to call him their God. He even built a city for them.
17-18. Abraham had been promised that Isaac, his only son, would continue his family. But when Abraham was tested, he had faith and was willing to sacrifice Isaac,
19. because he was sure that God could raise people to life. This was just like getting Isaac back from death.
20. Isaac had faith, and he promised blessings to Jacob and Esau.
21. Later, when Jacob was about to die, he leaned on his walking stick and worshipped. Then because of his faith he blessed each of Joseph's sons.
22. And just before Joseph died, he had faith that God would lead the people of Israel out of Egypt. So he told them to take his bones with them.
23. Because Moses' parents had faith, they kept him hidden until he was three months old. They saw that he was a beautiful child, and they were not afraid to disobey the king's orders.
24. Then after Moses grew up, his faith made him refuse to be called Pharaoh's grandson.
25. He chose to be ill-treated with God's people instead of having the good time that sin could bring for a little while.