Προς Εβραιους 11
1 εστιν δε πιστις ελπιζομενων υποστασις πραγματων ελεγχος ου βλεπομενων
It is because people trust [God] that they are sure that they will receive the things that they confidently expect [God to give them]. They are also certain [that they will see those things], though no one sees them yet.
2 εν ταυτη γαρ εμαρτυρηθησαν οι πρεσβυτεροι
It was because our ancestors trusted in God that they pleased him.
3 πιστει νοουμεν κατηρτισθαι τους αιωνας ρηματι θεου εις το μη εκ φαινομενων τα βλεπομενα γεγονεναι (aiōn g165)
It is because we trust in God that we understand that he formed the universe by commanding [it to exist]. The result is that the things that we see were not made from things that already existed. (aiōn g165)
4 πιστει πλειονα θυσιαν αβελ παρα καιν προσηνεγκεν τω θεω δι ης εμαρτυρηθη ειναι δικαιος μαρτυρουντος επι τοις δωροις αυτου του θεου και δι αυτης αποθανων ετι λαλει
It was because [Adam’s son] Abel trusted God that he sacrificed something better to God than what [his older brother] Cain offered to God. Because Abel did that, when God spoke well about what Abel sacrificed, God declared that Abel was righteous. And although Abel is dead, we still learn from him [about trusting God].
5 πιστει ενωχ μετετεθη του μη ιδειν θανατον και ουχ ευρισκετο διοτι μετεθηκεν αυτον ο θεος προ γαρ της μεταθεσεως αυτου μεμαρτυρηται ευηρεστηκεναι τω θεω
It was because Enoch believed [God that God] took him [up to heaven]. The result was that he did not die. No one found him, because he was taken up {[God] had removed him} from the earth [to heaven]. Before [God] took him away, [he] testified that Enoch pleased him well.
6 χωρις δε πιστεως αδυνατον ευαρεστησαι πιστευσαι γαρ δει τον προσερχομενον τω θεω οτι εστιν και τοις εκζητουσιν αυτον μισθαποδοτης γινεται
It is possible for people to please God only if they trust God, because anyone who wants to come to God must first believe that God exists and that he rewards those who seek [to know] him.
7 πιστει χρηματισθεις νωε περι των μηδεπω βλεπομενων ευλαβηθεις κατεσκευασεν κιβωτον εις σωτηριαν του οικου αυτου δι ης κατεκρινεν τον κοσμον και της κατα πιστιν δικαιοσυνης εγενετο κληρονομος
It was because Noah trusted [God] that after he was warned by God {after [God] warned him} about [a flood that] had not yet happened, Noah [showed that he] revered God by building a huge ship to save his family. By doing that, he [showed all the people who did not believe him] [MTY] [that they deserved to be condemned] {[that God would] condemn them}. He was someone whom God declared to be righteous because of his trusting in God.
8 πιστει καλουμενος αβρααμ υπηκουσεν εξελθειν εις τον τοπον ον ημελλεν λαμβανειν εις κληρονομιαν και εξηλθεν μη επισταμενος που ερχεται
It was because Abraham trusted God that when he was told to go {when [God] told him to go}, he obeyed [God], he left [his own country], and went to a place that God would give him. Abraham left his own country, even though he did not know where he would be going.
9 πιστει παρωκησεν εις την γην της επαγγελιας ως αλλοτριαν εν σκηναις κατοικησας μετα ισαακ και ιακωβ των συγκληρονομων της επαγγελιας της αυτης
It was because Abraham trusted God that he lived as though he was a foreigner in the land that [God] had promised to him. Abraham lived in tents, and his son Isaac and his grandson Jacob did also. God promised to give to Isaac and Jacob the same things that he promised to give Abraham.
10 εξεδεχετο γαρ την τους θεμελιους εχουσαν πολιν ης τεχνιτης και δημιουργος ο θεος
Abraham was waiting to live in a city [in heaven] that would exist forever [MET]. It was a city that God is building [DOU].
11 πιστει και αυτη σαρρα δυναμιν εις καταβολην σπερματος ελαβεν και παρα καιρον ηλικιας ετεκεν επει πιστον ηγησατο τον επαγγειλαμενον
It was because Abraham trusted God that God gave Abraham strength so that he [was] able to produce a son. Even though his wife Sarah was past the age [when women bear children], [God] promised [that he would give her a son], and Abraham considered that God would do what he promised to do.
12 διο και αφ ενος εγεννηθησαν και ταυτα νενεκρωμενου καθως τα αστρα του ουρανου τω πληθει και ωσει αμμος η παρα το χειλος της θαλασσης η αναριθμητος
So, although Abraham was also too old to have children, so many people descended from that one man that they were as numerous as the stars in the sky and are as countless as the grains of sand along the seashore, [just like God promised him].
13 κατα πιστιν απεθανον ουτοι παντες μη λαβοντες τας επαγγελιας αλλα πορρωθεν αυτας ιδοντες και πεισθεντες και ασπασαμενοι και ομολογησαντες οτι ξενοι και παρεπιδημοι εισιν επι της γης
It was while they still trusted in God that all those people died. Even though they had not yet received the things that God had promised to give them, [it was as though] they saw those things in a distance. They were glad [to know] about what God promised. It was as though they admitted that they were not from this earth, but that they were only here temporarily.
14 οι γαρ τοιαυτα λεγοντες εμφανιζουσιν οτι πατριδα επιζητουσιν
As for those people who talk like that, they clearly show that they long for [a place that will become] their true native land.
15 και ει μεν εκεινης εμνημονευον αφ ης εξηλθον ειχον αν καιρον ανακαμψαι
If they had been thinking about [that place being] the place from which they had come, they would have taken the opportunity to return there.
16 νυνι δε κρειττονος ορεγονται τουτεστιν επουρανιου διο ουκ επαισχυνεται αυτους ο θεος θεος επικαλεισθαι αυτων ητοιμασεν γαρ αυτοις πολιν
But, instead, they desired a better [place in which to live]; that is, they desired [a home] in heaven. So God has prepared a city for them to live [with him], and he is pleased [LIT] for them to say that he is their God.
17 πιστει προσενηνοχεν αβρααμ τον ισαακ πειραζομενος και τον μονογενη προσεφερεν ο τας επαγγελιας αναδεξαμενος
It was because Abraham trusted [God] that he [was ready to] kill his son Isaac as a sacrifice when [God] tested him. This same man to whom [God] promised [to give] ([a son/many descendants]) was going to sacrifice [that same son], the only son [whom his own wife had borne]!
18 προς ον ελαληθη οτι εν ισαακ κληθησεται σοι σπερμα
It was to Abraham that God said, “It is [only] from Isaac that I will consider your family to descend.”
19 λογισαμενος οτι και εκ νεκρων εγειρειν δυνατος ο θεος οθεν αυτον και εν παραβολη εκομισατο
Abraham considered that [to fulfill that promise], God could make [Isaac] live again [even if] he had died [after Abraham sacrificed him]! The result was that when Abraham did receive Isaac back [after God told him not to harm Isaac], it was as though he received him back even after he died.
20 πιστει περι μελλοντων ευλογησεν ισαακ τον ιακωβ και τον ησαυ
It was because Isaac trusted God that he [prayed that after he died, God would] bless [his] sons Jacob and Esau.
21 πιστει ιακωβ αποθνησκων εκαστον των υιων ιωσηφ ευλογησεν και προσεκυνησεν επι το ακρον της ραβδου αυτου
It was because Jacob trusted God that, as he was dying, he [prayed that God would] bless each of the sons of [his own son Joseph]. He worshipped God as he leaned upon his walking stick [before he died].
22 πιστει ιωσηφ τελευτων περι της εξοδου των υιων ισραηλ εμνημονευσεν και περι των οστεων αυτου ενετειλατο
It was because Joseph trusted God that, when he was about to die [in Egypt], he anticipated the time when the Israelis would leave Egypt; and he instructed [that] his people [should carry] his bones [with them when they] ([left Egypt/returned to Canaan]).
23 πιστει μωσης γεννηθεις εκρυβη τριμηνον υπο των πατερων αυτου διοτι ειδον αστειον το παιδιον και ουκ εφοβηθησαν το διαταγμα του βασιλεως
It was because Moses’ father and mother trusted God that they hid [their son] for three months shortly after he was born, because they saw that he was so beautiful. They were not afraid of [disobeying] what the king of Egypt had commanded, [namely, that all the Jewish male babies must be killed].
24 πιστει μωσης μεγας γενομενος ηρνησατο λεγεσθαι υιος θυγατρος φαραω
The daughter of the [king, whom they called] Pharaoh, [raised] Moses, but when he had grown up, it was because he trusted God that he refused to [accept the privileges that would have been his if people] considered that he was (the son of the king’s daughter/the king’s own grandson).
25 μαλλον ελομενος συγκακουχεισθαι τω λαω του θεου η προσκαιρον εχειν αμαρτιας απολαυσιν
He decided that it was better for others to mistreat him for a time along with the Israeli people, than to temporarily enjoy living sinfully [in the King’s palace].
26 μειζονα πλουτον ηγησαμενος των εν αιγυπτω θησαυρων τον ονειδισμον του χριστου απεβλεπεν γαρ εις την μισθαποδοσιαν
This is because he decided that if he suffered for the Messiah, it would be worth far more [in God’s sight] than his owning all the treasures of Egypt [that he would receive as Pharaoh’s heir. He decided that] because he looked forward to the time when [God would give him] an [eternal] reward.
27 πιστει κατελιπεν αιγυπτον μη φοβηθεις τον θυμον του βασιλεως τον γαρ αορατον ως ορων εκαρτερησεν
It was because he trusted God that he left Egypt. He was not afraid that the king would be angry [because of his doing that]. He (kept going/did not turn back) because [it was as though] he kept seeing [God], whom no one can see.
28 πιστει πεποιηκεν το πασχα και την προσχυσιν του αιματος ινα μη ο ολοθρευων τα πρωτοτοκα θιγη αυτων
It was because Moses believed [that God would save his own people] that he instituted the [festival called] Passover. He did that [by commanding that the people should kill lambs and] sprinkle their blood [on their] doorposts. They did that in order that [the angel who] causes people to die would not kill [EUP] the oldest male Israelites [when he killed the oldest sons in each Egyptian family].
29 πιστει διεβησαν την ερυθραν θαλασσαν ως δια ξηρας ης πειραν λαβοντες οι αιγυπτιοι κατεποθησαν
It was because they trusted God that [when] the [Israelite] people walked through [where] the Red Sea [had been, it was] as [though they walked] on dry land! But, when the [army of] Egypt also attempted to [cross that same water], they drowned, because [the sea came back and flooded them]!
30 πιστει τα τειχη ιεριχω επεσεν κυκλωθεντα επι επτα ημερας
It was because the [Israeli] people trusted God that the walls around Jericho [city] collapsed, after the Israelis marched around the walls for seven days.
31 πιστει ρααβ η πορνη ου συναπωλετο τοις απειθησασιν δεξαμενη τους κατασκοπους μετ ειρηνης
Rahab [had been] a prostitute, but because she trusted God, she did not perish with those [inside Jericho] who disobeyed [God. Joshua sent some spies] into the city [in order] to find ways to destroy it, but God saved her because she welcomed those spies [peaceably].
32 και τι ετι λεγω επιλειψει γαρ με διηγουμενον ο χρονος περι γεδεων βαρακ τε και σαμψων και ιεφθαε δαβιδ τε και σαμουηλ και των προφητων
I do not know what more I should say [RHQ] [about others who trusted in God]. It would take too much time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the [other] prophets.
33 οι δια πιστεως κατηγωνισαντο βασιλειας ειργασαντο δικαιοσυνην επετυχον επαγγελιων εφραξαν στοματα λεοντων
It was because they trusted God that some of them [did great things for him]. Some conquered lands ruled by powerful men. Some ruled [Israel] and justly [punished those men and nations who rebelled against God]. Some obtained [from God] the things that he promised to give them [MTY].
34 εσβεσαν δυναμιν πυρος εφυγον στοματα μαχαιρας ενεδυναμωθησαν απο ασθενειας εγενηθησαν ισχυροι εν πολεμω παρεμβολας εκλιναν αλλοτριων
Some forced lions to keep their mouths shut. Some escaped from being destroyed by fire. Some of those people escaped from [being killed with] a sword [MTY]. Some of those [people who trusted God] were made strong {became mighty} again after they had once been weak. Some became powerful when they fought wars. Some caused armies [that came from foreign lands] to run away from them.
35 ελαβον γυναικες εξ αναστασεως τους νεκρους αυτων αλλοι δε ετυμπανισθησαν ου προσδεξαμενοι την απολυτρωσιν ινα κρειττονος αναστασεως τυχωσιν
Some women [who trusted God] received [their relatives] back again when [God] ([made them live again after they had died/raised them from the dead]). But [others who trusted God] were tortured until they died. They were tortured because they refused to agree when [their captors said, “We will] release you [if you deny that you believe in God.” They refused to do that], because they wanted to live with God forever, which is better than [continuing to live on earth] after having almost died.
36 ετεροι δε εμπαιγμων και μαστιγων πειραν ελαβον ετι δε δεσμων και φυλακης
Other [people who trusted God] were mocked; [some had their backs] cut [open by being struck] with leaded whips. Some were chained and put in prison.
37 ελιθασθησαν επρισθησαν επειρασθησαν εν φονω μαχαιρας απεθανον περιηλθον εν μηλωταις εν αιγειοις δερμασιν υστερουμενοι θλιβομενοι κακουχουμενοι
[Some of] those believers were stoned to death {People [killed some of those believers by] throwing stones at them}. Others were cut completely in two. Others were killed with swords. Others of these people who trusted God wandered around the land [wearing garments made only of] skins from sheep and goats. They did not have any money. They were continually oppressed and tormented {People continuously oppressed them and tormented them}.
38 ων ουκ ην αξιος ο κοσμος εν ερημιαις πλανωμενοι και ορεσιν και σπηλαιοις και ταις οπαις της γης
[The people on earth who caused those who trusted in God to suffer were so bad that] they did not deserve [to live with people who trusted God. Some who trusted God] wandered in deserts and on mountains. Some lived in caves and in other [large] holes in the ground.
39 και ουτοι παντες μαρτυρηθεντες δια της πιστεως ουκ εκομισαντο την επαγγελιαν
Although all these people were commended [by God] {[God] commended all these people} because they trusted him, God did not give them all that he promised them [while they were alive].
40 του θεου περι ημων κρειττον τι προβλεψαμενου ινα μη χωρις ημων τελειωθωσιν
God knew ahead of time that what he would give us and them [later] would be better than giving [them immediately what he promised]. What God intends is that only when they and we are together will we have all that God intends us to have.
