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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0; maximum-scale=1.0; user-scalable=0;"/><title>Genesis 18 ISV</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/genesis/18.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="../topmenuchap/genesis/18-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">ISV</a> > Genesis 18</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../genesis/17.htm" title="Genesis 17">◄</a> Genesis 18 <a href="../genesis/19.htm" title="Genesis 19">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">International Standard Version</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/isv/esv/genesis/18.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><p class="heading">Abraham’s Three Visitors</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/18-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>Later, the LORD appeared to Abraham<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:1 Lit. him">a</a></span> by the oaks<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:1 Or terebinths">b</a></span> belonging to Mamre. As Abraham<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:1 Lit. he">c</a></span> was sitting near the entrance to his tent during the hottest part of the day, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/18-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>he glanced up and saw three men standing there, not far from him. As soon as he noticed them, Abraham<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:2 Lit. he">d</a></span> ran from the tent entrance to greet them and bowed low to the ground. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/18-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>“My lords,” he told them, “if I have found favor with you,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:3 Lit. favor in your eyes">e</a></span> please don’t leave your servant. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/18-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>I’ll have some water brought to wash your feet while you rest under the tree. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/18-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>I’ll bring some food for you,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:5 Lit. you, that you may nourish yourselves">f</a></span> and after that you may continue your journey, since you have come to visit your servant.”</p> <p class="reg">So they replied, “Okay! Do what you’ve proposed.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/18-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>Abraham hurried into the tent and told Sarah, “Quick! Take three measures<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:6 Lit. seahs">g</a></span> of the best flour, knead it, and make some flat bread.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/18-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>Next, Abraham ran to the herd, found a choice and tender calf, and gave it to the young men, who went off in a hurry to prepare it. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/18-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>Then he took curds, milk, and the calf that had been prepared, placed the food in front of them, and stood near them under the tree while they ate.</p> <p class="heading">Sarah Laughs at the Promise</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/18-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>The men asked him, “Where is your wife Sarah?”</p> <p class="reg">“There, in the tent,” he replied.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/18-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>Then one of them said, “I will certainly return to you in about a year’s time.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:10 Lit. you according to the time of life">h</a></span> By then, your wife Sarah will have borne a son.”</p> <p class="reg">Now Sarah was listening at the tent entrance behind him. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/18-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>Abraham and Sarah were old—really old<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:11 Lit. well advanced in days">i</a></span> —and Sarah was beyond the age of childbearing.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:11 Lit. The way of women has ceased for Sarah">j</a></span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/18-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>That’s why Sarah laughed to herself, thinking, “After I’m so old and my husband is old, too, am I going to have sex?”<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:12 Lit. pleasure">k</a></span> </p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/18-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>The LORD asked Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and think, ‘Am I really going to bear a child, since I’m so old?’ <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/18-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>Is anything impossible<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:14 Lit. wonderful">l</a></span> for the LORD? At the time set for it, I will return to you—about a year from now—and Sarah will have a son.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/18-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>But Sarah denied it. “I didn’t laugh,” she claimed, because she was afraid.</p> <p class="reg">The LORD<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:15 Lit. He">m</a></span> replied, “No! You did laugh!”</p> <p class="heading">God Reveals His Plans to Abraham</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/18-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>After this, the men set out from there and looked out over Sodom. Abraham went with them to send them off.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/18-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>“Should I hide from Abraham what I’m about to do,” the LORD asked, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/18-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>“since Abraham’s descendants will become a great and powerful nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed through him? <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/18-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>Indeed, I’ve made myself known to him in order that he may encourage his sons and his household that is born after him to keep the way of the LORD, and to do what is right and just, so that the LORD may bring about for Abraham what he has promised.” <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/18-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>The LORD also said, “How great is the disapproval of Sodom and Gomorrah! Their sin is so very serious! <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/18-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>I’m going down to see whether they’ve acted according to the protests that have reached me. If not, I wish to know.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/18-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>Then two of<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:22 The Heb. lacks two of">n</a></span> the men turned away from there and walked toward Sodom, while Abraham remained standing in the presence of the LORD.</p> <p class="heading">Abraham Negotiates with God</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/18-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>Abraham approached and asked, “Will you actually destroy the righteous along with the wicked? <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/18-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>Perhaps there are 50 righteous ones within the city. Will you actually destroy it and not forgive the place for the sake of the 50 righteous that are found there? <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/18-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>Far be it from you to do such a thing—to kill the righteous along with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike! The Judge of all the earth will do what is right, won’t he?”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/18-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>The LORD said, “If I find 50 righteous people within Sodom, I’ll forgive the whole place for their sake.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/18-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>Abraham answered, “Look, even though I am only dust and ashes, I’ve ventured to speak to my LORD. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/18-28.htm"><b>28</b></a></span>What if there are five less than 50 righteous ones? Will you bring destruction upon the city because of those five?”</p> <p class="reg">The LORD<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:28 Lit. He">o</a></span> said, “I won’t destroy it if I find 45 there.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/18-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span>Abraham<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:29 Lit. He">p</a></span> continued to speak to him, asking, “What if 40 are found there?”</p> <p class="reg">The LORD<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:29 Lit. He">q</a></span> replied, “I won’t do it for the sake of those 40.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/18-30.htm"><b>30</b></a></span>Abraham<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:30 Lit. He">r</a></span> then asked, “I hope my LORD will not be angry if I speak. What if 30 are found there?”</p> <p class="reg">The LORD<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:30 Lit. He">s</a></span> answered, “I won’t do it for the sake of those 30.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/18-31.htm"><b>31</b></a></span>“Look,” Abraham<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:31 Lit. He">t</a></span> said, “I’ve presumed to speak to my LORD… so what if 20 are found there?”</p> <p class="reg">“For the sake of those 20,” the LORD<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:31 Lit. He">u</a></span> responded, “I won’t destroy it.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/18-32.htm"><b>32</b></a></span>Finally, Abraham<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:32 Lit. He">v</a></span> inquired, “I hope my LORD will not be angry if I speak only once more. What if ten are found there?”</p> <p class="reg">He replied, “For the sake of those ten I won’t destroy it.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/genesis/18-33.htm"><b>33</b></a></span>As soon as he finished talking to Abraham, the LORD left and Abraham returned to where he had been sitting.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="18:33 Lit. to his place">w</a></span> </p><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><A name="ftn"></a><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="fn1"><span class="fnb">a</span> 18:1 Lit. <i>him</i><br /><span class="fnb">b</span> 18:1 Or <i>terebinths</i><br /><span class="fnb">c</span> 18:1 Lit. <i>he</i><br /><span class="fnb">d</span> 18:2 Lit. <i>he</i><br /><span class="fnb">e</span> 18:3 Lit. <i>favor in your eyes</i><br /><span class="fnb">f</span> 18:5 Lit. <i>you, that you may nourish yourselves</i><br /><span class="fnb">g</span> 18:6 Lit. <i>seahs</i><br /><span class="fnb">h</span> 18:10 Lit. <i>you according to the time of life</i><br /><span class="fnb">i</span> 18:11 Lit. <i>well advanced in days</i><br /><span class="fnb">j</span> 18:11 Lit. <i>The way of women has ceased for Sarah</i><br /><span class="fnb">k</span> 18:12 Lit. <i>pleasure</i><br /><span class="fnb">l</span> 18:14 Lit. <i>wonderful</i><br /><span class="fnb">m</span> 18:15 Lit. <i>He</i><br /><span class="fnb">n</span> 18:22 The Heb. lacks <i>two of</i><br /><span class="fnb">o</span> 18:28 Lit. <i>He</i><br /><span class="fnb">p</span> 18:29 Lit. <i>He</i><br /><span class="fnb">q</span> 18:29 Lit. <i>He</i><br /><span class="fnb">r</span> 18:30 Lit. <i>He</i><br /><span class="fnb">s</span> 18:30 Lit. <i>He</i><br /><span class="fnb">t</span> 18:31 Lit. <i>He</i><br /><span class="fnb">u</span> 18:31 Lit. <i>He</i><br /><span class="fnb">v</span> 18:32 Lit. <i>He</i><br /><span class="fnb">w</span> 18:33 Lit. <i>to his place</i><br /></span><br><br><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><div align="center"><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1<br />Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation<br />ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/">Bible Hub</a></div></div></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="../genesis/17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="../genesis/19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 19" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="rightbox"><div class="padright"><div id="pic"><iframe width="100%" height="860" scrolling="no" src="//biblescan.com/mpc/genesis/18-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></div></div><div id="rightbox4"><div class="padright2"><div id="spons1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tr><td class="sp1"><iframe width="122" height="860" scrolling="no" src="../sidemenu.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="bot"><div align="center" style="background-color:#F2FAFF"><br /><br /><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="6710025936" data-ad-format="auto"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></td></tr></table><br /><br /><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="6710025936" data-ad-format="auto"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></td></tr></table></div><br /><br /> </div><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/botmenubhnm2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe><div align="center"><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span></div></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>