The Faith of Many

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30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after [the people] had marched around them for seven days.

31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies in peace, did not perish with those who were disobedient.

32 And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, [and] gained what was promised; [who] shut [the] mouths of lions, 34 quenched [the] raging fire, [and] escaped [the] edge of [the] sword; [who] gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, [and] put foreign armies {to flight}.

35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured [and] refused [their] release, so that they might gain a better resurrection. 36 [Still] others endured mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.

37 They were stoned, they were sawed in two,[fn] they were put to death by [the] sword. They went around in sheepskins [and] goatskins destitute, oppressed, [and] mistreated. 38 The world was not worthy of [them]. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and [ hid in ] caves and holes in the ground.

39 These {were} all commended for [their] faith, [yet] they did not receive what [was] promised. 40 God had planned something better for us, so that together with us they would be made perfect.