Hebrews · Berean Standard Bible
Hebrews 11 Berean Standard Bible
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
BSB Berean Standard Bible
RV1909 Reina-Valera 1909
WEB World English Bible (Classic, with Deuterocanon)
1 Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see.
1 ES pues la fe la sustancia de las cosas que se esperan, la demostración de las cosas que no se ven.
1 Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.
2 This is why the ancients were commended.
2 Porque por ella alcanzaron testimonio los antiguos.
2 For by this, the elders obtained approval.
3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
3 Por la fe entendemos haber sido compuestos los siglos por la palabra de Dios, siendo hecho lo que se ve, de lo que no se veía.
3 By faith we understand that the universe has been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen has not been made out of things which are visible.
4 By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous when God gave approval to his gifts. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.
4 Por la fe Abel ofreció á Dios mayor sacrificio que Caín, por la cual alcanzó testimonio de que era justo, dando Dios testimonio á sus presentes; y difunto, aun habla por ella.
4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had testimony given to him that he was righteous, God testifying with respect to his gifts; and through it he, being dead, still speaks.
5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.
5 Por la fe Enoc fué traspuesto para no ver muerte, y no fué hallado, porque lo traspuso Dios. Y antes que fuese traspuesto, tuvo testimonio de haber agradado á Dios.
5 By faith Enoch was taken away, so that he wouldn’t see death, and he was not found, because God translated him. For he has had testimony given to him that before his translation he had been well pleasing to God.
6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
6 Empero sin fe es imposible agradar á Dios; porque es menester que el que á Dios se allega, crea que le hay, y que es galardonador de los que le buscan.
6 Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to him, for he who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him.
7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in godly fear built an ark to save his family. By faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
7 Por la fe Noé, habiendo recibido respuesta de cosas que aun no se veían, con temor aparejó el arca en que su casa se salvase: por la cual [fe] condenó al mundo, y fué hecho heredero de la justicia que es por la fe.
7 By faith Noah, being warned about things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared a ship for the saving of his house, through which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going.
8 Por la fe Abraham, siendo llamado, obedeció para salir al lugar que había de recibir por heredad; y salió sin saber dónde iba.
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out to the place which he was to receive for an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he went.
9 By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.
9 Por fe habitó en la tierra prometida como en [tierra] ajena, morando en cabañas con Isaac y Jacob, herederos juntamente de la misma promesa:
9 By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a land not his own, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise.
10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
10 Porque esperaba ciudad con fundamentos, el artífice y hacedor de la cual es Dios.
10 For he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
11 By faith Sarah, even though she was barren and beyond the proper age, was enabled to conceive a child, because she considered Him faithful who had promised.
11 Por la fe también la misma Sara, siendo estéril, recibió fuerza para concebir simiente; y parió aun fuera del tiempo de la edad, porque creyó ser fiel el que [lo] había prometido.
11 By faith even Sarah herself received power to conceive, and she bore a child when she was past age, since she counted him faithful who had promised.
12 And so from one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
12 Por lo cual también, de uno, y ése ya amortecido, salieron como las estrellas del cielo en multitud, y como la arena innumerable que está á la orilla de la mar.
12 Therefore as many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as innumerable as the sand which is by the sea shore, were fathered by one man, and him as good as dead.
13 All these people died in faith, without having received the things they were promised. However, they saw them and welcomed them from afar. And they acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
13 Conforme á la fe murieron todos éstos sin haber recibido las promesas, sino mirándolas de lejos, y creyéndolas, y saludándolas, y confesando que eran peregrinos y advenedizos sobre la tierra.
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and embraced them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14 Now those who say such things show that they are seeking a country of their own.
14 Porque los que esto dicen, claramente dan á entender que buscan una patria.
14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.
15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.
15 Que si se acordaran de aquella de donde salieron, cierto tenían tiempo para volverse:
15 If indeed they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had enough time to return.
16 Instead, they were longing for a better country, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
16 Empero deseaban la mejor, es á saber, la celestial; por lo cual Dios no se avergüenza de llamarse Dios de ellos: porque les había aparejado ciudad.
16 But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac on the altar. He who had received the promises was ready to offer his one and only son,
17 Por fe ofreció Abraham á Isaac cuando fué probado, y ofrecía al unigénito el que había recibido las promesas,
17 By faith, Abraham, being tested, offered up Isaac. Yes, he who had gladly received the promises was offering up his only born son,
18 even though God had said to him, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.”
18 Habiéndole sido dicho: En Isaac te será llamada simiente:
18 to whom it was said, “Your offspring will be accounted as from Isaac,”
19 Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and in a sense, he did receive Isaac back from death.
19 Pensando que aun de los muertos [es] Dios poderoso para levantar; de donde también le volvió á recibir por figura.
19 concluding that God is able to raise up even from the dead. Figuratively speaking, he also did receive him back from the dead.
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning the future.
20 Por fe bendijo Isaac á Jacob y á Esaú respecto á cosas que habían de ser.
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come.
21◆ By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.
21 Por fe Jacob, muriéndose, bendijo á cada uno de los hijos de José, y adoró [estribando] sobre la punta de su bordón.
21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.
22 By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites and gave instructions about his bones.
22 Por fe José, muriéndose, se acordó de la partida de los hijos de Israel; y dió mandamiento acerca de sus huesos.
22 By faith Joseph, when his end was near, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.
23 By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after his birth, because they saw that he was a beautiful child, and they were unafraid of the king’s edict.
23 Por fe Moisés, nacido, fué escondido de sus padres por tres meses, porque le vieron hermoso niño; y no temieron el mandamiento del rey.
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.
24 By faith Moses, when he was grown, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.
24 Por fe Moisés, hecho ya grande, rehusó ser llamado hijo de la hija de Faraón;
24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,
25 He chose to suffer oppression with God’s people rather than to experience the fleeting enjoyment of sin.
25 Escogiendo antes ser afligido con el pueblo de Dios, que gozar de comodidades temporales de pecado.
25 choosing rather to share ill treatment with God’s people than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a time,
26 He valued disgrace for Christ above the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his reward.
26 Teniendo por mayores riquezas el vituperio de Cristo que los tesoros de los Egipcios; porque miraba á la remuneración.
26 considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the reward.
27 By faith Moses left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw Him who is invisible.
27 Por fe dejó á Egipto, no temiendo la ira del rey; porque se sostuvo como viendo al Invisible.
27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch Israel’s own firstborn.
28 Por fe celebró la pascua y el derramamiento de la sangre, para que el que mataba los primogénitos no los tocase.
28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them.
29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were drowned.
29 Por fe pasaron el mar Bermejo como por tierra seca: lo cual probando los Egipcios, fueron sumergidos.
29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as on dry land. When the Egyptians tried to do so, they were swallowed up.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.
30 Por fe cayeron los muros de Jericó con rodearlos siete días.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.
31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies in peace, did not perish with those who were disobedient.
31 Por fe Rahab la ramera no pereció juntamente con los incrédulos, habiendo recibido á los espías con paz.
31 By faith Rahab the prostitute didn’t perish with those who were disobedient, having received the spies in peace.
32 And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets,
32 ¿Y qué más digo? porque el tiempo me faltará contando de Gedeón, de Barac, de Samsón, de Jephté, de David, de Samuel, y de los profetas:
32 What more shall I say? For the time would fail me if I told of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets—
33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions,
33 Que por fe ganaron reinos, obraron justicia, alcanzaron promesas, taparon las bocas de leones,
33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked out righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.
34 Apagaron fuegos impetuosos, evitaron filo de cuchillo, convalecieron de enfermedades, fueron hechos fuertes en batallas, trastornaron campos de extraños.
34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, grew mighty in war, and caused foreign armies to flee.
35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused their release, so that they might gain a better resurrection.
35 Las mujeres recibieron sus muertos por resurrección; unos fueron estirados, no aceptando el rescate, para ganar mejor resurrección;
35 Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.
36 Still others endured mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.
36 Otros experimentaron vituperios y azotes; y á más de esto prisiones y cárceles;
36 Others were tried by mocking and scourging, yes, moreover by bonds and imprisonment.
37 They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they were put to death by the sword. They went around in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, oppressed, and mistreated.
37 Fueron apedreados, aserrados, tentados, muertos á cuchillo; anduvieron de acá para allá [cubiertos] de pieles de ovejas y de cabras, pobres, angustiados, maltratados;
37 They were stoned. They were sawn apart. They were tempted. They were slain with the sword. They went around in sheep skins and in goat skins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated—
38 The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and hid in caves and holes in the ground.
38 De los cuales el mundo no era digno; perdidos por los desiertos, por los montes, por las cuevas y por las cavernas de la tierra.
38 of whom the world was not worthy—wandering in deserts, mountains, caves, and the holes of the earth.
39 These were all commended for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised.
39 Y todos éstos, aprobados por testimonio de la fe, no recibieron la promesa;
39 These all, having been commended for their faith, didn’t receive the promise,
40 God had planned something better for us, so that together with us they would be made perfect.
40 Proveyendo Dios alguna cosa mejor para nosotros, para que no fuesen perfeccionados sin nosotros.
40 God having provided some better thing concerning us, so that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
People & places in this chapter
From this site's family tree and Bible maps, only where those guides cite this chapter.
People
Abel
A shepherd whose faithful offering pleased God, murdered by his own brother.
Cited in the guide: Genesis 4; Hebrews 11:4
Enoch
He walked with God, and was not, for God took him — he did not die.
Cited in the guide: Genesis 5:21–24; Hebrews 11:5
Rahab
The woman of Jericho who hid the spies and became mother of Boaz.
Cited in the guide: Joshua 2, 6; Matthew 1:5; Hebrews 11:31
Cross references (40)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 2 Corinthians 5:7; 2 Corinthians 4:18; Romans 8:24–25; Hebrews 11:7; Hebrews 10:22
- 2 Hebrews 11:39; Hebrews 11:4
- 3 Psalm 33:6; 2 Peter 3:5; John 1:3; Romans 4:17; Acts 17:24
- 4 Genesis 4:3–5; 1 John 3:11–12; Hebrews 12:24; Proverbs 15:8; Genesis 4:10
- 5 Genesis 5:21–24; Jude 14; Hebrews 11:6; 2 Kings 2:11; Revelation 11:9–12
- 6 Proverbs 8:17; Jeremiah 29:13–14; Matthew 6:33; 1 Chronicles 28:9; Psalm 105:3–4
- 7 Genesis 6:13–7:1; 1 Peter 3:20; Ezekiel 14:14; Luke 17:26; Romans 4:13
- 8 Genesis 12:1–4; Acts 7:2–4; Matthew 7:24–25; Genesis 15:7–8; Genesis 22:18
- 9 Genesis 12:8; Genesis 13:18; Genesis 13:3; Acts 7:5–6; Hebrews 6:17
- 10 Hebrews 13:14; Philippians 3:20; 2 Corinthians 5:1; Hebrews 12:22; John 14:2
- 11 Hebrews 10:23; Romans 4:20–21; Genesis 18:11–14; Genesis 21:1–2; Luke 1:36
- 12 Genesis 22:17; Genesis 32:12; Hosea 1:10; Genesis 15:5; Jeremiah 33:22
- 13 Genesis 23:4; Psalm 39:12; Hebrews 11:27; Romans 8:24; Hebrews 11:39
- 14 2 Corinthians 4:18–5:7; Romans 8:23–25; Hebrews 13:14; Hebrews 11:16; Philippians 1:23
- 15 Genesis 24:6–8; Genesis 12:10
- 16 Hebrews 13:14; Philippians 3:20; Hebrews 11:10; Matthew 25:34; John 14:2
- 17 Genesis 22:16; James 2:21–24; Genesis 22:1–12; James 5:11; 1 Peter 1:6–7
- 18 Genesis 21:12; Romans 9:7; Genesis 17:19
- 19 Romans 4:17–21; Matthew 9:28; Ephesians 3:20; Genesis 22:13; Genesis 22:4–5
- 20 Genesis 27:27–40; Genesis 28:2–3
- 21 Genesis 47:31–48:1; Genesis 48:5–22
- 22 Exodus 13:19; Genesis 50:24–25; Joshua 24:32; Acts 7:16
- 23 Exodus 1:22; Exodus 1:16; Hebrews 13:6; Exodus 2:2–10; Matthew 10:28
- 24 Exodus 2:10–11; Acts 7:21–24
- 25 Psalm 84:10; 2 Timothy 2:3–10; Job 36:21; 1 Peter 4:12–16; 2 Corinthians 5:17
- 26 Hebrews 10:35; Hebrews 11:6; 1 Peter 4:14; Matthew 5:12; 2 Corinthians 6:10
- 27 2 Corinthians 4:18; Hebrews 11:13; Exodus 2:14–15; Hebrews 11:1; Exodus 4:19
- 28 Exodus 12:21–30; Hebrews 9:19; 1 Peter 1:2; Hebrews 12:24; Exodus 12:3–14
- 29 Exodus 14:13–15:21; Psalm 106:9–11; Psalm 78:13; Habakkuk 3:8–10; Isaiah 63:11–16
- 30 Joshua 6:3–20; 2 Corinthians 10:4–5
- 31 James 2:25; Joshua 6:22–25; Matthew 1:5; Joshua 2:1–24; Matthew 1:1
- 32 1 Samuel 16:1; 1 Samuel 1:20; 1 Samuel 16:13; Judges 13:1–16; Judges 11:1–12
- 33 Hebrews 6:12–15; Psalm 144:1–2; 2 Timothy 4:17; Hebrews 10:36; Hebrews 11:4–8
- 34 1 Samuel 17:51–52; 2 Kings 6:16–18; Psalm 144:10; Judges 15:8; 2 Chronicles 32:20–22
- 35 2 Kings 4:27–37; 1 Kings 17:22–24; Philippians 3:11; Acts 9:41; 1 Corinthians 15:54
- 36 Jeremiah 20:2; Genesis 39:20; Jeremiah 37:15–21; 2 Chronicles 30:10; 2 Chronicles 16:10
- 37 2 Chronicles 24:21; Jeremiah 26:23; 1 Kings 19:10; 1 Kings 21:13–15; 2 Kings 1:8
- 38 1 Kings 18:4; 1 Samuel 22:1; 1 Kings 19:9; Isaiah 57:1; 1 Samuel 24:1–3
- 39 Luke 10:23–24; Hebrews 11:13; Hebrews 11:2; 1 Peter 1:12
- 40 Revelation 6:11; Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 10:11–14; Hebrews 5:9; Hebrews 7:19
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
Why does my Bible say something different?
- Hebrews 11:21 and Genesis 47:31: Jacob’s staff or Jacob’s bed?
In the Hebrew text of Genesis 47:31 Israel bows “upon the bed’s head.” In the Septuagint he bows “on the top of his staff,” and Hebrews 11:21 quotes the Greek. The Hebrew consonants can be read either way; only the later vowel marks decide. The Orthodox Church reads “staff,” and St John of Damascus used the verse in defending the veneration of holy things.
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
Faith needs a generous and vigorous soul, and one rising above all things of sense, and passing beyond the weakness of human reasonings. For it is not possible to become a believer, otherwise than by raising one's self above the common customs [of the world].
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 14 (1889)
Let us take (for instance) Enoch, who, being found righteous in obedience, was translated, and death was never known to happen to him. Noah, being found faithful, preached regeneration to the world through his ministry; and the Lord saved by him the animals which, with one accord, entered into the ark.
… those places and times--being itself the while the same always and everywhere, not one thing in one place, and another in another; according to which Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and Moses, and David, and all those commended by the mouth of God were righteous, but were judged unrighteous by foolish men, judging out of man's judgment, and gauging by …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 1 (1886)
… how he saith, "They that say these things, show plainly that they seek a country; and truly if they had been mindful of that from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned: but now they desire another, a better country." And again, "These all died in faith, not having obtained the promises, but having seen …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)
The lesson also which was read to-day invites you to the true faith, by setting before you the way in which you also must please God: for it affirms that without faith it is impossible to please Him.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)