ft Egypt, not because he feared the King's wrath, but
like one who saw the Unseen King he never faltered.

Through faith the Israelites crossed the Red Sea as through dry land,
and when the Egyptians tried to cross they were drowned.

What more shall I say? For time would fail me if I tried to tell of
Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the
prophets--they who through faith conquered kingdoms, did righteous acts,
received promises from God, closed the mouths of lions, quenched the
power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, in the hour of weakness
were made strong, who proved mighty in war and put to flight foreign
armies!

Women received back their dead restored to life. Others were tortured,
refusing release, that they might be raised to a better life. Others
stood the test of taunts and blows, yes, even chains and imprisonment.
They were stoned, they were burned, they were sawn in two, they were
killed by the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats,
lacking everything, persecuted, ill treated (men of whom the world was
unworthy), wandering in lonely places and among the hills, in caves and
in holes in the ground. Through faith they all won God's approval, but
they did not receive the promised blessing, for God had planned
something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made
perfect.

Therefore, surrounded as we are by such a host of witnesses, let us also
lay aside every handicap and the sin which clings so closely to us, and
let us run with patience the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes
on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith, who for the joy which lay
before him, patiently endured the cross, thinking nothing of the shame,
and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

THE IMPORTANCE OF DOING WHAT IS RIGHT

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the true
Israelites scattered among the nations, greeting.

My brothers, regard it as only a cause for joy, when you fall into all
kinds of trials. Know that the testing of your faith develops patience;
but let your patience do its perfect work, that you may be perfect and
complete, lacking nothing.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God who gives to all men
liberally and without reproach, and it will be given him. Only let him
ask with faith, with never a doubt, for the man who doubts is like the
waves of the sea, driven and tossed by the winds. Let not such