Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence
of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith
we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which
are visible.
By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice
than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead
still speaks.
Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes,
and of chains and imprisonment They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered
about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in
deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did
not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.
Heb. 11:1-4 ~ 36-4