Genesis 18:17-33 - Abraham's Bargain With God
17 And LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that which I do, 18 since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? 19 For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of LORD, to do righteousness and justice, to the end that LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he has spoke 20 And LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous, 21 I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which comes to me. And if not, I will know.
22 And the men turned from there, and went toward Sodom, but Abraham yet stood before LORD. 23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Will thou consume righteous men with wicked men? 24 Perhaps there are fifty righteous men within the city. Will thou consume and not spare the place for the fifty righteous men that are in it? 25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay a righteous man with a wicked man, that so the righteous man should be as the wicked man. Far be it from thee. Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?
26 And LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous men within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sake.
27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak to the Lord, who am but dust and ashes. 28 Perhaps there shall lack five of the fifty righteous men. Will thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, I will not destroy it, if I find there forty-five.
29 And he spoke to him yet again, and said, Perhaps there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for the forty's sake.
30 And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak. Perhaps there shall be thirty found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there.
31 And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak to the Lord. Perhaps there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for the twenty's sake.
32 And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once. Perhaps ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for the ten's sake. 33 And LORD went his way as soon as he had left off conversing with Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.