Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 NRSVUE
11 Now faith is the assurance [a]  of things hoped for, the
conviction [b]  of things not seen.  2  Indeed, by faith [c]  our
ancestors received approval.  3  By faith we understand that
the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what
is seen was made from things that are not visible. [d]
8  By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for
a place that he was to receive as an inheritance, and he set
out, not knowing where he was going.  9  By faith he stayed
for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign
land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs
with him of the same promise.  10  For he looked forward to
the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is
God.  11  By faith, with Sarah’s involvement, he received
power of procreation, even though he was too old, because
he considered [a]  him faithful who had promised.  12  Therefore
from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants
were born, “as many as the stars of heaven and as the
innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.”
13  All of these died in faith without having received the
promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them.
They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on
the earth,  14  for people who speak in this way make it clear
that they are seeking a homeland.  15  If they had been thinking
of the land that they had left behind, they would have had
opportunity to return.  16  But as it is, they desire a better
homeland, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not
ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a
city for them.