Thematic Bible
Genesis 18:1 (show verse)
Now the Lord appeared to Abraham by the terebinth trees of Mamre [in Hebron], while he was sitting at the tent door in the heat of the day.
Genesis 18:2 (show verse)
When he raised his eyes and looked up, behold, three men were standing [a little distance] from him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed down [with his face] to the ground,
Genesis 18:3 (show verse)
and Abraham said, “My lord, if now I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass by your servant [without stopping to visit].
Genesis 18:4 (show verse)
Please let a little water be brought [by one of my servants] and [you may] wash your feet, and recline and rest comfortably under the tree.
Genesis 18:5 (show verse)
And I will bring a piece of bread to refresh and sustain you; after that you may go on, since you have come to your servant.” And they replied, “Do as you have said.”
Genesis 18:6 (show verse)
So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Quickly, get ready three measures of fine meal, knead it and bake cakes.”
Genesis 18:7 (show verse)
Abraham also ran to the herd and brought a calf, tender and choice, and he gave it to the servant [to butcher], and he hurried to prepare it.
Genesis 18:8 (show verse)
Then he took curds and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and set it before the men; and he stood beside them under the tree while they ate.
Genesis 18:9 (show verse)
Then they said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “There, in the tent.”
Genesis 18:10 (show verse)
He said, “I will surely return to you at this time next year; and behold, Sarah your wife will have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door, which was behind him.
Genesis 18:11 (show verse)
Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in years; she was past [the age of] childbearing.
Genesis 18:12 (show verse)
So Sarah laughed to herself [when she heard the Lord’s words], saying, “After I have become old, shall I have pleasure and delight, my lord (husband) being also old?”
Genesis 18:13 (show verse)
And the Lord asked Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh [to herself], saying, ‘Shall I really give birth [to a child] when I am so old?’
Genesis 18:14 (show verse)
Is anything too difficult or too wonderful for the Lord? At the appointed time, when the season [for her delivery] comes, I will return to you and Sarah will have a son.”
Genesis 18:15 (show verse)
Then Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh”; because she was afraid. And He (the Lord) said, “No, but you did laugh.”
Genesis 18:16 (show verse)
Then the men got up from there, and looked toward Sodom; and Abraham walked with them to send them on the way.
Genesis 18:17 (show verse)
The Lord said, “Shall I keep secret from Abraham [My friend and servant] what I am going to do,
Genesis 18:18 (show verse)
since Abraham is destined to become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed through him?
Genesis 18:19 (show verse)
For I have known (chosen, acknowledged) him [as My own], so that he may teach and command his children and [the sons of] his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is righteous and just, so that the Lord may bring upon Abraham what He has promised him.”
Genesis 18:20 (show verse)
And the Lord said, “The outcry [of the sin] of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave.
Genesis 18:21 (show verse)
I will go down now, and see whether they have acted [as vilely and wickedly] as the outcry which has come to Me [indicates]; and if not, I will know.”
Genesis 18:22 (show verse)
Now the [two] men (angelic beings) turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the Lord.
Genesis 18:23 (show verse)
Abraham approached [the Lord] and said, “Will You really sweep away the righteous (those who do right) with the wicked (those who do evil)?
Genesis 18:24 (show verse)
Suppose there are fifty righteous [people] within the city; will You really sweep it away and not spare it for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it?
Genesis 18:25 (show verse)
Far be it from You to do such a thing—to strike the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right [by executing just and righteous judgment]?”
Genesis 18:26 (show verse)
So the Lord said, “If I find within the city of Sodom fifty righteous [people], then I will spare the entire place for their sake.”
Genesis 18:27 (show verse)
Abraham answered, “Now behold, I who am but dust [in origin] and ashes have decided to speak to the Lord.
Genesis 18:28 (show verse)
If five of the fifty righteous are lacking, will You destroy the entire city for lack of five?” And He said, “If I find [at least] forty-five [righteous people] there, I will not destroy it.”
Genesis 18:29 (show verse)
Abraham spoke to Him yet again and said, “Suppose [only] forty are found there.” And He said, “I will not do it for the sake of the forty [who are righteous].”
Genesis 18:30 (show verse)
Then Abraham said [to Him], “Oh, may the Lord not be angry, and I will speak; suppose thirty [righteous people] are found there?” And He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.”
Genesis 18:31 (show verse)
And he said, “Now behold, I have decided to speak to the Lord [again]. Suppose [only] twenty [righteous people] are found there?” And the Lord said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of the twenty.”
Genesis 18:32 (show verse)
Then Abraham said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry [with me], and I will speak only this once; suppose ten [righteous people] are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of the ten.”
Genesis 18:33 (show verse)
As soon as He had finished speaking with Abraham the Lord departed, and Abraham returned to his own place.