12. 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.
13. These all died in faith without having received the promises, but they saw them from a distance, greeted them, and confessed that they were foreigners and temporary residents on the earth.
14. Now those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.
15. If they were thinking about where they came from, they would have had an opportunity to return.
16. 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.
17. By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. He received the promises and he was offering his unique son,
18. the one it had been said about, Your seed will be traced through Isaac.
19. He considered God to be able even to raise someone from the dead, and as an illustration, he received him back.
20. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
21. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and he worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.
22. By faith Joseph, as he was nearing the end of his life, mentioned the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions concerning his bones.
23. 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.
24. By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter
25. and chose to suffer with the people of God rather than to enjoy the short-lived pleasure of sin.