35. Some women received their loved ones back from death. Many of these people were tortured, but they refused to be released. They were sure that they would get a better reward when the dead are raised to life.
36. Others were made fun of and beaten with whips, and some were chained in jail.
37. Still others were stoned to death or sawn in two or killed with swords. Some had nothing but sheep skins or goat skins to wear. They were poor, ill-treated, and tortured.
38. The world did not deserve these good people, who had to wander in deserts and on mountains and had to live in caves and holes in the ground.
39. All of them pleased God because of their faith! But still they died without being given what had been promised.
40. This was because God had something better in store for us. And he did not want them to reach the goal of their faith without us.