and might free those who were slaves all their lives because they were terrified by death.

So we see that they were unable to enter because of their unbelief.

because we have had the good news told to us as well as to them. But the message they heard did not help them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened to it.

Now if he were on earth, he would not even be a priest, because other men offer the gifts prescribed by the Law.

For a tent was set up, and in the first part were the lamp stand, the table, and the bread of the Presence. This was called the Holy Place.

which had the gold altar for incense and the Ark of the Covenant completely covered with gold. In it were the gold jar holding the manna, Aaron's staff that had budded, and the Tablets of the Covenant.

Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the place of atonement. (We cannot discuss these things in detail now.)

But you must continue to remember those earlier days, how after you were enlightened you endured a hard and painful struggle.

At times you were made a public spectacle by means of insults and persecutions, while at other times you associated with people who were treated this way.

All these people died having faith. They did not receive the things that were promised, yet they saw them in the distant future and welcomed them, acknowledging that they were strangers and foreigners on earth.

Instead, they were longing for a better country, that is, a heavenly one. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, because he has prepared a city for them.

By faith Moses was hidden by his parents for three months after he was born, because they saw that he was a beautiful child and were not afraid of the king's order.

By faith they went through the Red Sea as if it were dry land. When the Egyptians tried to do this, they were drowned.

By faith Rahab the prostitute did not die with those who were disobedient, because she had welcomed the spies with a greeting of peace.

Women received their dead raised back to life. Other people were brutally tortured, but refused to be ransomed, so that they might gain a better resurrection.

They were stoned to death, sawed in half, and killed with swords. They went around in sheepskins and goatskins. They were needy, oppressed, and mistreated.

Continue to remember those in prison as if you were in prison with them, as well as those who are mistreated, since they also are only mortal.