Genesis 18:16-33 - Abraham's Plea For Sodom
16 And the men rose up from hence, and looked out over the face of Sodom, - Abraham also going with them to set them on their way. 17 Now, Yahweh, had said, - Am I going to hide from Abraham what I do, 18 when, 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 become his intimate friend, To the end that he may command his sons and his house after him, so shall they keep the way of Yahweh, by doing righteousness and justice. To the end that Yahweh may bring in for Abraham, what he hath spoken concerning him. 20 So Yahweh said, The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah, because it hath become great, - And their sin, because it hath become exceeding grievous, 21 Let me go down, pray, and let me behold, whether according to their outcry which hath come in unto me, they have done altogether, And if not. I must know!
22 And the men turned from thence, and went their way, towards Sodom, - but, Yahweh was yet standing before Abraham. 23 So then Abraham drew near and said, Wilt thou really sweep away, the righteous with the lawless? 24 Peradventure there are fifty righteous, in the midst of the city, Wilt thou really sweep away, and not spare the place, for the sake of the fifty righteous which are therein? 25 Far be it from thee! to do after this manner. to put to death the righteous with the lawless! Then should righteous and lawless be alike, Far be it from thee! Shall, the Judge of all the earth not do justice?
26 And Yahweh said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous in the midst of the city, then will I spare all the place for their sake.
27 And Abraham responded and said, - Behold I pray thee I have ventured to speak unto My Lord, though I am dust and ashes: 28 Peradventure there may lack, of the fifty righteous, five, Wilt thou destroy for five all the city? And he said, I will not destroy, if I find there forty and five.
29 And he added, yet once more, to speak unto him, and said, Peradventure there may be found there - forty. And he said - I will not do it, for the sake of the forty.
30 And he said Let it not, I pray thee, be vexing to My Lord, but let me speak, Peradventure there may be found there - thirty And be said, I will not to it, if I find there - thirty.
31 And he sad Behold, I pray thee, I have ventured to speak unto My Lord, Peradventure there may be found there - twenty. And he said I will not destroy it, for the sake of the twenty.
32 And he said, Let it not, I pray thee, be vexing to My Lord, but let me speak only this once, Peradventure there may be found there - ten. And he said, I will not destroy it , for the sake of the ten! 33 And Yahweh went his way, when he had made an end. of speaking unto Abraham, - Abraham, also returned to his place.