12. So from one—and him as good as dead—were fathered offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven, and as uncountable as the sand on the seashore.
13. These all died in faith without receiving the things promised—but they saw them and welcomed them from afar, and they confessed that they were strangers and sojourners on the earth.
14. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.
15. If indeed they had been thinking about where they had come from, they would have had opportunity to return.
16. But as it is, they yearn for a better land—that is, 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. Yes, he who had received the promises was offering up his one and only son—
18. the one about whom it was said, “Through Isaac offspring shall be named for you.”
19. He reasoned that God was able to raise him up even from the dead—and in a sense, he did receive him back from there.
20. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come.
21. By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and he bowed in worship while leaning on the top of his staff.
22. By faith Joseph, when his end was near, made mention of the exodus of Bnei-Yisrael and gave instructions about his bones.
23. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was an extraordinary child and they were not afraid of the king’s decree.
24. By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.
25. Instead he chose to suffer mistreatment along with the people of God, rather than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin.
26. He considered the disgrace of Messiah as greater riches than the treasures of Egypt—because he was looking ahead to the reward.
27. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger—for he persevered as if seeing the One who is invisible.
28. By faith he kept the Passover and the smearing of the blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch them.