Hebrews 11 good news bible

Hebrews 11 is a famous chapter in the Bible that is often referred to as the "Hall of Faith" because it lists many examples of people who demonstrated great faith in God. Here is the text of Hebrews 11 in the Good News Bible:

Hebrews 11:1-40 (Good News Bible)

1 Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 It was because of their faith that our ancestors were approved by God. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by a word of God, so that what is seen has come from what is unseen. 4 It is impossible for people to please God without faith. If someone claims to have faith but does not have good actions, that faith is useless. 5 But someone who has good actions, even if they do not claim to have faith, is a believer in action. 6 So then, it is clear that people are made right with God by their actions, not by simply believing they are right with God. 7 And then there were the patriarchs, who were commended for their faith. 8 It was by faith that Abraham obeyed God's call to go to a new land, and he went without knowing where he was going. 9 He went because he was promised a land, and he lived there as a foreigner, not as a citizen. 10 It was by faith that he lived in the promised land, as if it were a foreign country, and he lived in tents with Isaac and Jacob, who were his fellow heirs of the same promise. 11 He was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose builder and creator is God. 12 It was by faith that Sarah was able to have a child, even when she was too old to have children, because she believed God would do what he had promised. 13 It was by faith that Abraham, when he was tested, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 14 even though God had said, "Abraham, your descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore." He was about to sacrifice his only son, 15 but God said, "Abraham, do not harm the boy or do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." 16 It was by faith that Abraham, even though he was almost dead, received good news and that he obeyed and was given what was promised. 17 It was by faith that Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even though they were twins. 18 It was by faith that Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons and gave them a blessing. 19 It was by faith that Joseph, when he was dying, mentioned the promise God had made to Abraham and gave orders about his body. 20 It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter. 21 He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 22 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than all the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his reward. 23 It was by faith that Moses left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger, for he persevered as if he could see the One who is invisible. 24 It was by faith that the people of Israel passed through the Red Sea as if it were dry land, but the Egyptians who tried to follow them were drowned. 25 It was by faith that the people of Israel wandered in the wilderness for forty years, until the whole nation, except for Caleb the son of Jephunneh, died in the wilderness because of their disobedience. 26 It was by faith that Rahab, the prostitute, was not destroyed with the others who were disobedient, for she received the spies in peace. 27 It was by faith that the prostitute Rahab, who had received the spies and sent them on their way in a different direction, 28 received back her daughter and the others who belonged to her, for they were all righteous. 29 It was by faith that the walls of Jericho fell down, after the people had marched around them for seven days. 30 It was by faith that the prostitute Rahab, who had received the spies, was not destroyed with the others who were disobedient, for she received the spies in peace. 31 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, 32 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 33 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 34 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain even more in the resurrection. 35 Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 36 They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, destitute, persecuted, and mistreated— 37 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and holes in the ground. 38 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, 39 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

This chapter is a powerful reminder of the importance of faith and the many examples of people who have demonstrated great faith in God throughout history.