First ReadingHebrews 11:1-2, 8-19
From the Letter to the Hebrews
1Now faith is assurance of things hoped for,proof of things not seen.2For by this, the elders obtained approval.
verses 3–7 are not read8By faith Abraham, when he was called,obeyed to go out to the placewhich he was to receive for an inheritance.He went out, not knowing where he went.9By 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.10For he was looking for the city which has foundations,whose builder and maker is God.
11By 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.12Therefore 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.
13These all died in faith,not having received the promises,but having seen them and embraced them from afar,and having confessed that they were strangersand pilgrims on the earth.14For those who say such things make it clearthat they are seeking a country of their own.15If indeed they had been thinking ofthat country from which they went out,they would have had enough time to return.16But 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.
17By faith, Abraham, being tested, offered up Isaac.Yes, he who had gladly received the promises was offering up his only born son,18to whom it was said,“Your offspring will be accounted as from Isaac,”19concluding that God is able to raise up even from the dead.Figuratively speaking,he also did receive him back from the dead.