Hebrews 11:4

² For by it the elders obtained a good report.

³ Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

⁵ By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

⁶ But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous when God gave approval to his gifts. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.
KJV: By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
WEB: By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had testimony given to him that he was righteous, God testifying with respect to his gifts; and through it he, being dead, still speaks.
ASV: By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had witness borne to him that he was righteous, God bearing witness in respect of his gifts: and through it he being dead yet speaketh.
DARBY: By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained testimony of being righteous, God bearing testimony to his gifts, and by it, having died, he yet speaks.
BLB: By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he was testified to be righteous, God testifying about his gifts; and through it, having died, he still speaks.

ÅB: Ved tro bar Abel fram for Gud et bedre offer enn Kain; ved den fikk han det vitnesbyrd at han var rettferdig, idet Gud vitnet om hans gaver, og ved den taler han enda etter sin død.
OTB: Ved tro bar Abel fram et bedre offer til Gud enn Kain, gjennom hvilket han ble anerkjent som rettferdig, Gud vitnet om hans gaver. Ved tro taler han enda, selv om han er død.
B1930: Ved tro bar Abel frem for Gud et bedre offer enn Kain; ved den fikk han det vidnesbyrd at han var rettferdig, idet Gud vidnet om hans gaver, og ved den taler han ennu efter sin død.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Genesis 4:3–5
And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
Read in context
1 John 3:11–12
For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
Read in context
Hebrews 12:24
And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
Read in context
Proverbs 15:8
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
Read in context
Genesis 4:10
And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.
Read in context
Matthew 23:35
That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.
Read in context
Jude 1:11
Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
Read in context
Hebrews 9:22
And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
Read in context