^{8 Ref} By faith Abraham did as God said when he was ordered to go out into a place which was to be given to him as a heritage, and went out without knowledge of where he was going.

^{9 Ref} By faith he was a wanderer in the land of the agreement, as in a strange land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, who had a part with him in the same heritage:

^{10 Ref} For he was looking for the strong town, whose builder and maker is God.

^{11 Ref} And by faith Sarah herself had power to give birth, when she was very old, because she had faith in him who gave his word;

^{12 Ref} So that from one man, who was near to death, came children in number as the stars in heaven, or as the sand by the seaside, which may not be numbered.

^{13 Ref} All these came to their end in faith, not having had the heritage; but having seen it with delight far away, they gave witness that they were wanderers and not of the earth.

^{14 Ref} For those who say such things make it clear that they are searching for a country for themselves.

^{15 Ref} And truly if they had kept in mind the country from which they went out, they would have had chances of turning back.

^{16 Ref} But now their desire is for a better country, that is to say, for one in heaven; and so it is no shame to God to be named their God; for he has made ready a town for them.

^{17 Ref} By faith Abraham made an offering of Isaac, when he was tested: and he with whom the agreement had been made gave up as an offering the only son of his body,