Genesis 18:1-11 ▼

1 The LORD appeared to Abraham by the oak trees belonging to Mamre as he was sitting at the entrance of his tent during the hottest part of the day.

2 Abraham looked up, and suddenly he saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran to meet them, and he bowed with his face touching the ground.

3 |Please, sir,| Abraham said, |stop by to visit me for a while.

4 Why don't we let someone bring a little water? After you wash your feet, you can stretch out and rest under the tree.

5 Let me bring some bread so that you can regain your strength. After that you can leave, since this is why you stopped by to visit me.| They answered, |That's fine. Do as you say.|

6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to find Sarah. |Quick,| he said, |get three measures of flour, knead it, and make bread.|

7 Then Abraham ran to the herd and took one of his best calves. He gave it to his servant, who prepared it quickly.

8 Abraham took cheese and milk, as well as the meat, and set these in front of them. Then he stood by them under the tree as they ate.

9 They asked him, |Where is your wife Sarah?| He answered, |Over there, in the tent.|

10 The LORD said, |I promise I'll come back to you next year at this time, and your wife Sarah will have a son.| Sarah happened to be listening at the entrance of the tent, which was behind him.

11 Abraham and Sarah were old. Sarah was past the age of childbearing.