Bereishit (Genesis) 18

1GOD appeared to him by the terebinths of Mamre; he was sitting at the entrance of the tent as the day grew hot.†

2Looking up, he saw three figures standing near him. As soon as he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them and, bowing to the ground,†

3he said, “My lords! If it please you, do not go on past your servant.†

4Let a little water be brought; bathe your feet and recline under the tree.

5And let me fetch a morsel of bread that you may refresh yourselves; then go on—seeing that you have come your servant’s way.” They replied, “Do as you have said.”

6Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Quick, three seahs of choice flour! Knead and make cakes!”

7Then Abraham ran to the herd, took a calf, tender and choice, and gave it to a servant-boy, who hastened to prepare it.

8He took curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared and set these before them; and he waited on them under the tree as they ate.

9They said to him, “Where is your wife Sarah?” And he replied, “There, in the tent.”

10Then one said, “I will return to you next year,; cf. 17.21; 2 Kings 4.16–17. and your wife Sarah shall have a son!” Sarah was listening at the entrance of the tent, which was behind him.†

11Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years; Sarah had stopped having her periods.

12And Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “Now that I’ve lost the ability, uncertain. am I to have enjoyment—with my husband so old?”†

13Then GOD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I in truth bear a child, old as I am?’†

14Is anything too wondrous for GOD? I will return to you at the same season next year, and Sarah shall have a son.”

15Sarah lied, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was frightened. Came the reply, “You did laugh.”

16The agents set out from there and looked down toward Sodom, Abraham walking with them to see them off.

17Now GOD had said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do,

18since Abraham is to become a great and populous nation and all the nations of the earth are to bless themselves by him?

19For I have singled him out, that he may instruct his children and his posterity to keep the way of GOD by doing what is just and right, in order that GOD may bring about for Abraham what has been promised him.”

20Then GOD said, “The outrage of Sodom and Gomorrah is so great, and their sin so grave!

21I will go down to see whether they have acted altogether according to the outcry that has reached Me; if not, I will take note.”

22The agents went on from there to Sodom, while Abraham remained standing before GOD.†

23Abraham came forward and said, “Will You sweep away the innocent along with the guilty?

24What if there should be fifty innocent within the city; will You then wipe out the place and not forgive it for the sake of the innocent fifty who are in it?

25Far be it from You to do such a thing, to bring death upon the innocent as well as the guilty, so that innocent and guilty fare alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?”

26And GOD answered, “If I find within the city of Sodom fifty innocent ones, I will forgive the whole place for their sake.”

27Abraham spoke up, saying, “Here I venture to speak to my Sovereign, I who am but dust and ashes:

28What if the fifty innocent should lack five? Will You destroy the whole city for want of the five?” “I will not destroy if I find forty-five there,” came the reply.

29But he spoke up again, and said, “What if forty should be found there?” “I will not do it, for the sake of the forty,” came the reply.

30And he said, “Let not my Sovereign be angry if I go on: What if thirty should be found there?” “I will not do it if I find thirty there,” came the reply.

31And he said, “I venture again to speak to my Sovereign: What if twenty should be found there?” “I will not destroy, for the sake of the twenty,” came the reply.

32And he said, “Let not my Sovereign be angry if I speak but this last time: What if ten should be found there?” “I will not destroy, for the sake of the ten,” came the reply.

33Having finished speaking to Abraham, GOD departed; and Abraham returned to his place.†