It was faith that made Abraham obey when God called him

to go out to a country which God had promised to give him.

He left his own country without knowledge where he was going.

By faith he lived as a foreigner in the country that God had promised him.

He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who received the same promise from God.

For Abraham was waiting for the city which God has designed and built,

the city with permanent foundations.

It was faith that made Abraham able to become a father,

even thou he was too old and Sarah herself could not have children.

He trusted God to keep his promise.

Though Abraham was practically dead, from this one man came as many descendants

as there are stars in the sky, as many as the numberless

grains of sand on the seashore.