| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | New Living Translation |
| 1[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 1The LORD appeared again to Abraham near the oak grove belonging to Mamre. One day Abraham was sitting at the entrance to his tent during the hottest part of the day. |
| 2[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 2He looked up and noticed three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran to meet them and welcomed them, bowing low to the ground. |
| 3[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 3“My lord,” he said, “if it pleases you, stop here for a while. |
| 4[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 4Rest in the shade of this tree while water is brought to wash your feet. |
| 5[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 5And since you’ve honored your servant with this visit, let me prepare some food to refresh you before you continue on your journey.” “All right,” they said. “Do as you have said.” |
| 6[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 6So Abraham ran back to the tent and said to Sarah, “Hurry! Get three large measures of your best flour, knead it into dough, and bake some bread.” |
| 7[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 7Then Abraham ran out to the herd and chose a tender calf and gave it to his servant, who quickly prepared it. |
| 8[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 8When the food was ready, Abraham took some yogurt and milk and the roasted meat, and he served it to the men. As they ate, Abraham waited on them in the shade of the trees. |
| 9[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 9“Where is Sarah, your wife?” the visitors asked. “She’s inside the tent,” Abraham replied. |
| 10[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 10Then one of them said, “I will return to you about this time next year, and your wife, Sarah, will have a son!” Sarah was listening to this conversation from the tent. |
| 11[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 11Abraham and Sarah were both very old by this time, and Sarah was long past the age of having children. |
| 12[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 12So she laughed silently to herself and said, “How could a worn-out woman like me enjoy such pleasure, especially when my master—my husband—is also so old?” |
| 13[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 13Then the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, ‘Can an old woman like me have a baby?’ |
| 14[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 14Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” |
| 15[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 15Sarah was afraid, so she denied it, saying, “I didn’t laugh.” But the LORD said, “No, you did laugh.” Abraham Intercedes for Sodom |
| 16[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 16Then the men got up from their meal and looked out toward Sodom. As they left, Abraham went with them to send them on their way. |
| 17[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 17“Should I hide my plan from Abraham?” the LORD asked. |
| 18[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 18“For Abraham will certainly become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed through him. |
| 19[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 19I have singled him out so that he will direct his sons and their families to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just. Then I will do for Abraham all that I have promised.” |
| 20[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 20So the LORD told Abraham, “I have heard a great outcry from Sodom and Gomorrah, because their sin is so flagrant. |
| 21[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 21I am going down to see if their actions are as wicked as I have heard. If not, I want to know.” |
| 22[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 22The other men turned and headed toward Sodom, but the LORD remained with Abraham. |
| 23[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 23Abraham approached him and said, “Will you sweep away both the righteous and the wicked? |
| 24[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 24Suppose you find fifty righteous people living there in the city—will you still sweep it away and not spare it for their sakes? |
| 25[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 25Surely you wouldn’t do such a thing, destroying the righteous along with the wicked. Why, you would be treating the righteous and the wicked exactly the same! Surely you wouldn’t do that! Should not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?” |
| 26[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 26And the LORD replied, “If I find fifty righteous people in Sodom, I will spare the entire city for their sake.” |
| 27[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 27Then Abraham spoke again. “Since I have begun, let me speak further to my Lord, even though I am but dust and ashes. |
| 28[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 28Suppose there are only forty-five righteous people rather than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?” And the LORD said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five righteous people there.” |
| 29[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 29Then Abraham pressed his request further. “Suppose there are only forty?” And the LORD replied, “I will not destroy it for the sake of the forty.” |
| 30[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 30“Please don’t be angry, my Lord,” Abraham pleaded. “Let me speak—suppose only thirty righteous people are found?” And the LORD replied, “I will not destroy it if I find thirty.” |
| 31[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 31Then Abraham said, “Since I have dared to speak to the Lord, let me continue—suppose there are only twenty?” And the LORD replied, “Then I will not destroy it for the sake of the twenty.” |
| 32[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 32Finally, Abraham said, “Lord, please don’t be angry with me if I speak one more time. Suppose only ten are found there?” And the LORD replied, “Then I will not destroy it for the sake of the ten.” |
| 33[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 33When the LORD had finished his conversation with Abraham, he went on his way, and Abraham returned to his tent. |
| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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