Genesis 18:20-33 ▼

20 And YHWH says, “The cry of Sodom and Gomorrah—because great; and their sin—because exceedingly grievous:

21 I go down now, and see whether according to its cry which is coming to Me they have done completely—and if not—I know”;

22 and the men turn from there, and go toward Sodom; and Abraham is yet standing before YHWH.

23 And Abraham draws near and says, “Do You also consume righteous with wicked?

24 Perhaps there are fifty righteous in the midst of the city; do You also consume, and not bear with the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who [are] in its midst?

25 Far be it from You to do according to this thing, to put to death the righteous with the wicked; that it has been—as the righteous so the wicked—far be it from You; does the Judge of all the earth not do justice?”

26 And YHWH says, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous in the midst of the city, then have I borne with all the place for their sake.”

27 And Abraham answers and says, “Now behold, I have willed to speak to the Lord, and I [am] dust and ashes;

28 perhaps there are lacking five of the fifty righteous—do You destroy for five the whole of the city?” And He says, “I do not destroy [it], if I find there forty-five.”

29 And he adds again to speak to Him and says, “Perhaps there are found there forty?” And He says, “I do not do [it], because of the forty.”

30 And he says, “Please let it not be displeasing to the Lord, and I speak: perhaps there are found there thirty?” And He says, “I do not do [it], if I find there thirty.”

31 And he says, “Now behold, I have willed to speak to the Lord: perhaps there are found there twenty?” And He says, “I do not destroy [it], because of the twenty.”

32 And he says, “Please let it not be displeasing to the Lord, and I speak only this time: perhaps there are found there ten?” And He says, “I do not destroy [it], because of the ten.”

33 And YHWH goes on, when He has finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham has turned back to his place.