English Bible Presentation Sharing - Genesis Book, chapter 18, verse 81 in Nlv Version

Genesis 18 : 1 (NLV)

The Lord showed Himself to Abraham by the oak trees of Mamre, as he sat at the tent door in the heat of the day.

Genesis 18 : 2 (NLV)

Abraham looked up and saw three men standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them. He put his face to the ground

Genesis 18 : 3 (NLV)

and said, "My lord, if I have found favor in your eyes, please do not pass by your servant.

Genesis 18 : 4 (NLV)

Let us have a little water brought to wash your feet. Rest yourselves under the tree.

Genesis 18 : 5 (NLV)

And I will get a piece of bread so you may eat and get strength. After that you may go on your way, since you have come to your servant." The men said, "Do as you have said."

Genesis 18 : 6 (NLV)

So Abraham ran into the tent to Sarah, and said, "Hurry and get three pails of fine flour, mix it well, and make bread."

Genesis 18 : 7 (NLV)

Then Abraham ran to the cattle and took out a young and good calf. He gave it to the servant to make it ready in a hurry.

Genesis 18 : 8 (NLV)

He took milk and cheese and the meat which he had made ready, and set it in front of them. He stood by them under the tree while they ate.

Genesis 18 : 9 (NLV)

Then they said to him, "Where is your wife Sarah?" And he said, "There in the tent."

Genesis 18 : 10 (NLV)

The Lord said, "I will be sure to return to you at this time next year. And your wife Sarah will have a son." Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him.

Genesis 18 : 11 (NLV)

Now Abraham and Sarah were old. They had lived many years. The way of women had stopped for Sarah.

Genesis 18 : 12 (NLV)

So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, "Will I have this joy after my husband and I have grown old?"

Genesis 18 : 13 (NLV)

Then the Lord said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'How can I give birth to a child when I am so old?'

Genesis 18 : 14 (NLV)

Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son."

Genesis 18 : 15 (NLV)

But Sarah said, "I did not laugh," because she was afraid. And He said, "No, but you did laugh."

Genesis 18 : 16 (NLV)

Then the men got up from there and looked down toward Sodom. Abraham went with them to send them on their way.

Genesis 18 : 17 (NLV)

And the Lord said, "Should I hide from Abraham what I am about to do,

Genesis 18 : 18 (NLV)

since Abraham will become a great and powerful nation, because good will come to all the nations of the earth through him?

Genesis 18 : 19 (NLV)

For I have chosen him, so that he may teach his children and the sons of his house after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and fair, so the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has promised him."

Genesis 18 : 20 (NLV)

Then the Lord said, "The cry against Sodom and Gomorrah is loud. Their sin is very bad.

Genesis 18 : 21 (NLV)

I will now go down and see if they have done as much wrong as the cry against them has told Me they have. And if not, I will know."

Genesis 18 : 22 (NLV)

Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom. But Abraham still stood before the Lord.

Genesis 18 : 23 (NLV)

Abraham came near and said, "Will You destroy the good also, with the bad?

Genesis 18 : 24 (NLV)

What if there are fifty good people within the city? Will You destroy the place and not save it because of the fifty good people in it?

Genesis 18 : 25 (NLV)

May You never do such a thing as to destroy the good with the bad! May the good never be punished like the bad! You would never do such a thing! Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?"

Genesis 18 : 26 (NLV)

So the Lord said, "If I find fifty good people in the city of Sodom, I will save the whole place because of them."

Genesis 18 : 27 (NLV)

Abraham said, "Now see, I have taken upon myself to speak to the Lord, I who am only dust and ashes.

Genesis 18 : 28 (NLV)

What if five of the fifty good people are not so good. Will You destroy the whole city because of five?" The Lord said, "I will not destroy it if I find forty-five good people there."

Genesis 18 : 29 (NLV)

Abraham spoke to Him again and said, "What if only forty are found there?" The Lord said, "I will not destroy it if there are forty."

Genesis 18 : 30 (NLV)

Then Abraham said, "O may the Lord not be angry, and I will speak. What if only thirty are found there?" The Lord said, "I will not do it if I find thirty there."

Genesis 18 : 31 (NLV)

Abraham said, "Now see, I have taken upon myself to speak to the Lord. What if twenty are found there?" The Lord said, "I will not destroy it because of the twenty."

Genesis 18 : 32 (NLV)

Then Abraham said, "O may the Lord not be angry. And I may speak once more. What if ten are found there?" The Lord said, "I will not destroy it because of the ten."

Genesis 18 : 33 (NLV)

Then the Lord went on His way when He finished speaking with Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.