Copyright © 2006 By Doug Lawrence. All Rights Reserved.
Catechism Of The Catholic Church Reprinted With Permission.
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By faith Abel offered to God a sacrifice exceeding that of Cain, by which he
obtained a testimony that he was just, God giving testimony to his gifts. And by
it he being dead yet speaketh. By faith Henoch was translated that he should not
see death: and he was not found because God had translated him.
For before his translation he had testimony that he pleased God. But without
faith it is impossible to please God. For he that cometh to God must believe that
he is: and is a rewarder to them that seek him.
By faith Noah, having received an answer concerning those things which as yet
were not seen, moved with fear, framed the ark for the saving of his house: by
the which he condemned the world and was instituted heir of the justice which is
by faith.
By faith he that is called Abraham obeyed to go out into a place which he was to
receive for an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing whither he went.
By faith he abode in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in
cottages, with Isaac and Jacob, the co-heirs of the same promise. For he looked
for a city that hath foundations: whose builder and maker is God.
By faith also Sara herself, being barren, received strength to conceive seed,
even past the time of age: because she believed that he was faithful who had
promised, For which cause there sprung even from one (and him as good as
dead) as the stars of heaven in multitude and as the sand which is by the sea
shore innumerable. All these died according to faith, not having received the
promises but beholding them afar off and saluting them and confessing that they
are pilgrims and strangers on the earth. For they that say these things do signify
that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that from whence
they came out, they had doubtless, time to return. But now they desire a better,
that is to say, a heavenly country. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called
their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered Isaac: and he that had received the
promises offered up his only begotten son, (To whom it was said: In Isaac shalt
thy seed be called:) Accounting that God is able to raise up even from the dead.
Whereupon also he received him for a parable.
By faith also of things to come Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau. By faith Jacob,
dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph and adored the top of his rod.
By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the going out of the
children of Israel and gave commandment concerning his bones.
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months by his parents:
because they saw he was a comely babe, and they feared not the king's edict. By
faith Moses, when he was grown up, denied himself to be the son of Pharaoh’s
daughter: Rather choosing to be afflicted with the people of God than to have the
pleasure of sin for a time: Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than
the treasure of the Egyptians.
For he looked unto the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the fierceness
of the king: for he endured, as seeing him that is invisible. By faith he celebrated
the pasch and the shedding of the blood: that he who destroyed the firstborn
might not touch them. By faith they passed through the Red Sea, as by dry land:
which the Egyptians attempting, were swallowed up.
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