Genesis 18

All 33 verses in the Clear Bible Translation. Tap a verse to compare the KJV and read what it means.

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1. 1The LORD appeared to him by the plains of Mamre as he sat in the entrance of his tent during the heat of the day.
2. 2He looked up and noticed three men standing nearby. As soon as he saw them, he rushed from the tent entrance to greet them and bowed low to the ground.
3. 3He said, "My LORD, if I have found favor with you, please do not pass by your servant."
4. 4"Please, let some water be brought so you can wash your feet, and then rest under the tree."
5. 5"Let me bring some food so you can refresh yourselves. After that, you can continue on your way, since you have come to your servant." They replied, "Go ahead and do as you have said."
6. 6Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, "Quickly, get three measures of fine flour, knead it, and make cakes on the hearth."
7. 7Then Abraham ran to the herd, chose a young, tender calf, and gave it to a servant, who quickly prepared it.
8. 8He brought curds, milk, and the prepared calf and placed it all before them. He stood near them under the tree while they ate.
9. 9They asked him, "Where is your wife Sarah?" He answered, "She is inside the tent."
10. 10He said, "I will surely come back to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son." Sarah was listening at the tent entrance behind him.
11. 11Abraham and Sarah were both very old by now, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing.
12. 12So Sarah laughed to herself, thinking, "Now that I am worn out and my husband is old, will I really experience this joy?"
13. 13The LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Can I really give birth when I am so old?'"
14. 14"Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son."
15. 15Sarah denied it because she was afraid, saying, "I did not laugh." But he said, "No, you did laugh."
16. 16The men got up from there and turned their gaze toward Sodom, and Abraham walked along with them to see them off.
17. 17The LORD said, "Should I conceal from Abraham what I am about to do?"
18. 18"Abraham will certainly become a great and powerful nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed through him."
19. 19For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they will keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment, so that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what he has spoken of him.
20. 20Then the LORD said, "The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is enormous, and their sin is extremely severe."
21. 21I will go down now and see if their actions fully match the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will find out.
22. 22The men turned from there and headed toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the LORD.
23. 23Abraham stepped closer and said, "Will you really sweep away the righteous along with the wicked?"
24. 24"What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you still destroy it rather than spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are there?"
25. 25"Far be it from you to do such a thing — to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous the same as the wicked. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?"
26. 26The LORD said, "If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the entire place for their sake."
27. 27Abraham spoke up again: "I realize I have been bold enough to speak to the LORD, even though I am nothing but dust and ashes."
28. 28"What if the fifty righteous are short by five? Will you destroy the whole city because of five?" He answered, "If I find forty-five there, I will not destroy it."
29. 29Abraham spoke to him once more: "What if only forty are found there?" He replied, "I will not do it for the sake of forty."
30. 30Then Abraham said, "Please, do not let the LORD be angry, but let me speak. What if only thirty are found there?" He answered, "I will not do it if I find thirty there."
31. 31Abraham said, "I know I have been bold to speak to the LORD, but what if only twenty are found there?" He replied, "I will not destroy it for the sake of twenty."
32. 32Then Abraham said, "Please, do not let the LORD be angry, and I will speak just one more time. What if only ten are found there?" He answered, "I will not destroy it for the sake of ten."
33. 33When the LORD had finished speaking with Abraham, he departed, and Abraham went back home.