18Genesis 18

The Promises Abraham a Son

1One hot summer afternoon while Abraham was sitting by the entrance to his tent near the sacred trees of Mamre, the Lord appeared to him.Select Genesis 18:1

2Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. He quickly ran to meet them, bowed with his face to the ground,Select Genesis 18:2

3and said, “Please come to my home where I can serve you.Select Genesis 18:3

4I'll have some water brought, so you can wash your feet, then you can rest under a tree.Select Genesis 18:4

5Let me get you some food to give you strength before you leave. I would be honored to serve you.” “Thank you very much,” they answered. “We accept your offer.”Select Genesis 18:5

6Abraham went quickly to his tent and said to Sarah, “Hurry! Get a large sack of flour and make some bread.”Select Genesis 18:6

7After saying this, he rushed off to his herd of cattle and picked out one of the best calves, which his servant quickly prepared.Select Genesis 18:7

8He then served his guests some yogurt and milk together with the meat. While they were eating, he stood near them under the tree,Select Genesis 18:8

9and they asked, “Where's your wife Sarah?” “She is right there in the tent,” Abraham answered.Select Genesis 18:9

10One of the guests was the Lord, and he said, “I'll come back about this time next year, and when I do, Sarah will already have a son.” Sarah was behind Abraham, listening at the entrance to the tent.Select Genesis 18:10

11Abraham and Sarah were very old, and Sarah was well past the age for having children.Select Genesis 18:11

12So she laughed and said to herself, “Now that I am worn out and my husband is old, will I really know such happiness?”Select Genesis 18:12

13The Lord asked Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh? Does she doubt that she can have a child in her old age?Select Genesis 18:13

14I am the Lord! There is nothing too difficult for me. I'll come back next year at the time I promised, and Sarah will already have a son.”Select Genesis 18:14

15Sarah was so frightened that she lied and said, “I didn't laugh.” “Yes, you did!” he answered.Select Genesis 18:15

Abraham Prays for Sodom

16When the three men got ready to leave, they looked down toward Sodom, and Abraham walked part of the way with them.Select Genesis 18:16

17The Lord said to himself, “I should tell Abraham what I am going to do,Select Genesis 18:17

18since his family will become a great and powerful nation that will be a blessing to all the other nations on earth.Select Genesis 18:18

19I have chosen him to teach his family to obey me forever and to do what is right and fair. If they do, I will give Abraham many descendants, just as I promised.”Select Genesis 18:19

20The Lord said, “Abraham, I have heard that the people of Sodom and Gomorrah are doing all kinds of evil things.Select Genesis 18:20

21Now I am going down to see for myself if those people really are that bad. If they aren't, I would like to know.”Select Genesis 18:21

22The men turned and started toward Sodom. But the Lord stayed with Abraham.Select Genesis 18:22

23And Abraham asked him, “Lord, when you destroy the evil people, are you also going to destroy those who are good?Select Genesis 18:23

24Wouldn't you spare the city if there are only 50 good people in it?Select Genesis 18:24

25You surely wouldn't let them be killed when you destroy the evil ones. You are the judge of all the earth, and you do what is right.”Select Genesis 18:25

26The Lord replied, “If I find 50 good people in Sodom, I will save the city to keep them from being killed.”Select Genesis 18:26

27Abraham answered, “I am nothing more than the dust of the earth. Please forgive me, Lord, for daring to speak to you like this.Select Genesis 18:27

28But suppose there are only 45 good people in Sodom. Would you still wipe out the whole city?” “If I find 45 good people,” the Lord replied, “I won't destroy the city.”Select Genesis 18:28

29“Suppose there are just 40 good people?” Abraham asked. “Even for them,” the Lord replied, “I won't destroy the city.”Select Genesis 18:29

30Abraham said, “Please don't be angry, Lord, if I ask you what you will do if there are only 30 good people in the city.” “If I find 30,” the Lord replied, “I still won't destroy it.”Select Genesis 18:30

31Then Abraham said, “I don't have any right to ask you, Lord, but what would you do if you find only 20?” “Because of them, I won't destroy the city,” was the Lord's answer.Select Genesis 18:31

32Finally, Abraham said, “Please don't get angry, Lord, if I speak just once more. Suppose you find only 10 good people there.” “For the sake of 10 good people,” the Lord told him, “I still won't destroy the city.”Select Genesis 18:32

33After speaking with Abraham, the Lord left, and Abraham went back home.Select Genesis 18:33