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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"><title>Genesis 18 Christian Standard Bible</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" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></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="../">CSB</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 width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="../menu.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table><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">Christian Standard Bible</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/csb/esv/genesis/18.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Verses"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><section epub:type="chapter" id="csb-Genesis.18" /><h3 class="head1">Abraham’s Three Visitors</h3><p class="noind"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Genesis.18.1" /><A name="2"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/genesis/18-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>The L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span> appeared to Abraham at the oaks of Mamre<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Genesis.18.1.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a> while he was sitting at the entrance of his tent during the heat of the day. <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Genesis.18.2" /> <A name="3"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/genesis/18-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>He looked up, and he saw three men standing near him.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Genesis.18.2.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a> When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to meet them, bowed to the ground, <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Genesis.18.3" /> <A name="4"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/genesis/18-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>and said, “My lord, if I have found favor with you, please do not go on past your servant. <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Genesis.18.4" /> <A name="5"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/genesis/18-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>Let a little water be brought, that you may wash your feet and rest yourselves under the tree. <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Genesis.18.5" /> <A name="6"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/genesis/18-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>I will bring a bit of bread so that you may strengthen yourselves. This is why you have passed your servant’s way. Later, you can continue on.”</p><p class="scripture">“Yes,” they replied, “do as you have said.”</p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Genesis.18.6" /> <A name="7"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/genesis/18-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>So Abraham hurried into the tent and said to Sarah, “Quick! Knead three measures<a epub:type="noteref" href="#fn.Genesis.18.6.1"><span class="fnAlphabet">A</span></a> of fine flour and make bread.”<a epub:type="noteref" href="#fn.Genesis.18.6.2"><span class="fnAlphabet">B</span></a> <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Genesis.18.7" /> <A name="8"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/genesis/18-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>Abraham ran to the herd and got a tender, choice calf. He gave it to a young man, who hurried to prepare it. <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Genesis.18.8" /> <A name="9"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/genesis/18-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>Then Abraham took curds<a epub:type="noteref" href="#fn.Genesis.18.8.1"><span class="fnAlphabet">A</span></a> and milk, as well as the calf that he had prepared, and set them before the men. He served<a epub:type="noteref" href="#fn.Genesis.18.8.2"><span class="fnAlphabet">B</span></a> them as they ate under the tree.</p><h3 class="head1">Sarah Laughs</h3><p class="noind"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Genesis.18.9" /> <A name="10"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/genesis/18-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>“Where is your wife Sarah? ” they asked him.</p><p class="scripture">“There, in the tent,” he answered.</p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Genesis.18.10" /> <A name="11"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/genesis/18-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>The L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span> said, “I will certainly come back to you in about a year’s time, and your wife Sarah will have a son! ”<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Genesis.18.10.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a> Now Sarah was listening at the entrance of the tent behind him.</p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Genesis.18.11" /> <A name="12"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/genesis/18-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>Abraham and Sarah were old and getting on in years.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#fn.Genesis.18.11.1"><span class="fnAlphabet">A</span></a> Sarah had passed the age of childbearing.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Genesis.18.11.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a> <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Genesis.18.12" /> <A name="13"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/genesis/18-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>So she laughed to herself: “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I have delight? ”<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Genesis.18.12.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Genesis.18.13" /> <A name="14"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/genesis/18-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>But the L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span> asked Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Can I really have a baby when I’m old? ’ <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Genesis.18.14" /> <A name="15"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/genesis/18-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>Is anything impossible for the L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span>?<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Genesis.18.14.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a> At the appointed time I will come back to you, and in about a year she will have a son.”</p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Genesis.18.15" /> <A name="16"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/genesis/18-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>Sarah denied it. “I did not laugh,” she said, because she was afraid.</p><p class="scripture">But he replied, “No, you did laugh.”</p><h3 class="head1">Abraham’s Plea for Sodom</h3><p class="noind"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Genesis.18.16" /> <A name="17"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/genesis/18-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>The men got up from there and looked out over Sodom, and Abraham was walking with them to see them off. <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Genesis.18.17" /> <A name="18"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/genesis/18-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>Then the L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span> said, “Should I hide what I am about to do from Abraham?<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Genesis.18.17.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a> <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Genesis.18.18" /> <A name="19"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/genesis/18-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>Abraham is to become a great and powerful nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed through him.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Genesis.18.18.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a> <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Genesis.18.19" /> <A name="20"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/genesis/18-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>For I have chosen<a epub:type="noteref" href="#fn.Genesis.18.19.1"><span class="fnAlphabet">A</span></a> him so that he will command his children and his house after him to keep the way of the L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span> by doing what is right and just. This is how the L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span> will fulfill to Abraham what he promised him.” <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Genesis.18.20" /> <A name="21"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/genesis/18-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>Then the L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span> said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is immense, and their sin is extremely serious. <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Genesis.18.21" /> <A name="22"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/genesis/18-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>I will go down<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Genesis.18.21.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a> to see if what they have done justifies the cry that has come up to me. If not, I will find out.”</p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Genesis.18.22" /> <A name="23"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/genesis/18-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>The men turned from there and went toward Sodom<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Genesis.18.22.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a> while Abraham remained standing before the L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span>.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#fn.Genesis.18.22.1"><span class="fnAlphabet">A</span></a> <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Genesis.18.23" /> <A name="24"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/genesis/18-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>Abraham stepped forward and said, “Will you really sweep away the righteous with the wicked?<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Genesis.18.23.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a> <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Genesis.18.24" /> <A name="25"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/genesis/18-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away instead of sparing the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people who are in it? <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Genesis.18.25" /> <A name="26"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/genesis/18-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>You could not possibly do such a thing: to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. You could not possibly do that! Won’t the Judge of the whole earth do what is just? ”<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Genesis.18.25.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Genesis.18.26" /> <A name="27"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/genesis/18-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>The L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span> said, “If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake.”<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Genesis.18.26.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a></p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Genesis.18.27" /> <A name="28"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/genesis/18-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>Then Abraham answered, “Since I have ventured to speak to my lord — even though I am dust and ashes —  <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Genesis.18.28" /> <A name="29"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/genesis/18-28.htm"><b>28</b></a></span>suppose the fifty righteous lack five. Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five? ”</p><p class="scripture">He replied, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.”</p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Genesis.18.29" /> <A name="30"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/genesis/18-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span>Then he spoke to him again, “Suppose forty are found there? ”</p><p class="scripture">He answered, “I will not do it on account of forty.”</p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Genesis.18.30" /> <A name="31"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/genesis/18-30.htm"><b>30</b></a></span>Then he said, “Let my lord not be angry, and I will speak further. Suppose thirty are found there? ”</p><p class="scripture">He answered, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.”</p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Genesis.18.31" /> <A name="32"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/genesis/18-31.htm"><b>31</b></a></span>Then he said, “Since I have ventured to speak to my lord, suppose twenty are found there? ”</p><p class="scripture">He replied, “I will not destroy it on account of twenty.”</p><p class="scripture"><span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Genesis.18.32" /> <A name="33"></a><span class="reftext"><a href="/genesis/18-32.htm"><b>32</b></a></span>Then he said, “Let my lord not be angry, and I will speak one more time.<a epub:type="noteref" href="#xrf.Genesis.18.32.1"><span class="xrfAlphabet">a</span></a> Suppose ten are found there? ”</p><p class="scripture">He answered, “I will not destroy it on account of ten.” <span epub:type="z3998:verse" id="start-Genesis.18.33" /> <span class="reftext"><a href="/genesis/18-33.htm"><b>33</b></a></span>When the L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span> had finished speaking with Abraham, he departed, and Abraham returned to his place.</p><br /><section id="footnotes-Genesis.18" class="fnSection"><aside id="fn.Genesis.18.6.1"><span class="footnote-reference"><a href="#start-Genesis.18.6">18:6</a></span> Lit <span class="italic">three seahs</span> ; about 21 quarts</aside><aside id="fn.Genesis.18.6.2"><span class="footnote-reference"><a href="#start-Genesis.18.6">18:6</a></span> A round, thin, unleavened bread</aside><aside id="fn.Genesis.18.8.1"><span class="footnote-reference"><a href="#start-Genesis.18.8">18:8</a></span> Or <span class="italic">butter</span></aside><aside id="fn.Genesis.18.8.2"><span class="footnote-reference"><a href="#start-Genesis.18.8">18:8</a></span> Lit <span class="italic">was standing by</span></aside><aside id="fn.Genesis.18.11.1"><span class="footnote-reference"><a href="#start-Genesis.18.11">18:11</a></span> Lit <span class="italic">days</span></aside><aside id="fn.Genesis.18.19.1"><span class="footnote-reference"><a href="#start-Genesis.18.19">18:19</a></span> Lit <span class="italic">known</span></aside><aside id="fn.Genesis.18.22.1"><span class="footnote-reference"><a href="#start-Genesis.18.22">18:22</a></span> Alt Hb tradition reads <span class="italic">while the Lord remained standing before Abraham</span></aside><br /><section id="cross-references-Genesis.18" class="xrfSection"><aside id="xrf.Genesis.18.1.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Genesis.18.1">18:1</a></span> Gn 13:18; 14:13; 23:17–19</aside><aside id="xrf.Genesis.18.2.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Genesis.18.2">18:2</a></span> Gn 18:16,22; 19:1; 32:24; Jos 5:13; Jdg 13:6–11; Heb 13:2</aside><aside id="xrf.Genesis.18.10.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Genesis.18.10">18:10</a></span> Gn 17:10; 21:1; Rm 9:9</aside><aside id="xrf.Genesis.18.11.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Genesis.18.11">18:11</a></span> Gn 17:17; Rm 4:19; Heb 11:11–12</aside><aside id="xrf.Genesis.18.12.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Genesis.18.12">18:12</a></span> Gn 17:17; Lk 1:18; 1Pt 3:6</aside><aside id="xrf.Genesis.18.14.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Genesis.18.14">18:14</a></span> Jb 34:10; Jr 32:17,27; Mt 19:26; Mk 10:27; Lk 1:37; 18:27; Heb 6:18</aside><aside id="xrf.Genesis.18.17.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Genesis.18.17">18:17</a></span> Am 3:7</aside><aside id="xrf.Genesis.18.18.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Genesis.18.18">18:18</a></span> Gn 12:3; 26:4; Gl 3:8</aside><aside id="xrf.Genesis.18.21.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Genesis.18.21">18:21</a></span> Gn 11:5; Ex 3:8; Ps 14:2</aside><aside id="xrf.Genesis.18.22.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Genesis.18.22">18:22</a></span> Gn 19:1</aside><aside id="xrf.Genesis.18.23.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Genesis.18.23">18:23</a></span> Ex 23:7; Nm 16:22; 2Sm 24:17; Ps 11:4–7</aside><aside id="xrf.Genesis.18.25.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Genesis.18.25">18:25</a></span> Dt 1:16–17; 32:4; Jb 8:3,20; Ps 58:11; 94:2; Is 3:10–11; Rm 3:5–6</aside><aside id="xrf.Genesis.18.26.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Genesis.18.26">18:26</a></span> Jr 5:1</aside><aside id="xrf.Genesis.18.32.1"><span class="cross-reference"><a href="#start-Genesis.18.32">18:32</a></span> Jdg 6:39</aside><br /><section id="study-notes-Genesis.18" class="snSection"><br /></div><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">The Christian Standard Bible. 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