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Because of his faith, Abraham went to live like a stranger in that foreign country. God had promised to give that country to him, but Abraham lived there in tents. Isaac and Jacob also lived there in tents like strangers. God had also promised them that the land would belong to them one day.[a] 10 We see that Abraham was waiting to live in God's special place. That is the city that God himself has built. God has made it very strong so that it will be there for ever.[b]

11 Abraham and his wife, Sarah, were too old to have children. But Abraham believed God's promise that they would have children. He trusted God to do what he had promised. As a result of his faith, God made it possible for him and Sarah to have a baby.[c]

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Footnotes

  1. 11:9 See Genesis 12:1-5; 18:1; 23:4; 26:3; 35:12. Isaac was Abraham's son. Jacob was Isaac's son.
  2. 11:10 Abraham believed God. So he knew that his home was really in heaven with God. The Bible tells us about God's city. See Psalms 48; 122; Isaiah 14:32; 33:20; Revelation 21:10—22:5.
  3. 11:11 It is not clear whether this verse is telling us about Abraham's faith or about Sarah's faith. See Genesis 17:15-19; 18:10-14; 21:1-3.

By faith he made his home in the promised land(A) like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents,(B) as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.(C) 10 For he was looking forward to the city(D) with foundations,(E) whose architect and builder is God.(F) 11 And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age,(G) was enabled to bear children(H) because she[a] considered him faithful(I) who had made the promise.

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 11:11 Or By faith Abraham, even though he was too old to have children—and Sarah herself was not able to conceive—was enabled to become a father because he