14 It was in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim, ² that they made war against Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar). ³ All these joined together in the valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea). ⁴ They had been ruled by Chedorlaomer for twelve years. But in the thirteenth year they went against him. ⁵ Then in the fourteenth year, Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him came and won a war against the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shavehkiriathaim, ⁶ and the Horites in their Mount Seir as far as El-paran near the desert. ⁷ Then they turned around and came to Enmishpat (that is, Kadesh). There they won a war against all the country of the Amalekites and the Amorites who lived in Hazazon-tamar. ⁸ Then the kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim and Bela (that is, Zoar) went out and joined in war against them in the valley of Siddim. ⁹ They fought against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar, four kings against five. ¹⁰ Now the Siddim valley was full of deep holes with tar. The kings of Sodom and Gomorrah turned and ran, and some fell there. But the others ran away into the hill country. ¹¹ Then those who won the war took all that belonged to Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their food, and left. ¹² They also took Lot, the son of Abram’s brother, who lived in Sodom, and all that belonged to him, and left.

¹³ Then one who had run for his life came and told Abram the Hebrew. Abram was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and Aner, who were friends of Abram. ¹⁴ When Abram heard that one of his family had been taken away, he led 318 men who had been born in his house and whom he had taught to fight. They went after them as far as Dan. ¹⁵ Abram divided his army against them by night, he and his servants. They won the war against them, and followed them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. ¹⁶ Then Abram returned with all the things they had taken. He also returned with his brother’s son Lot and all that belonged to him, and the women and the people.

¹⁷ After Abram returned from destroying Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s valley). ¹⁸ Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was a religious leader of God Most High. ¹⁹ And Melchizedek honored Abram and said, “May good come to Abram from God Most High, Maker of heaven and earth. ²⁰ Honor and thanks be to God Most High, Who has given into your hand those who fought against you.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all he had taken. ²¹ And the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people, but take the riches and food for yourself.” ²² But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have promised the Lord God Most High, Maker of heaven and earth, ²³ that I will not take a piece of string or piece of leather or anything that is yours. Or else you might say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ ²⁴ I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eshcol and Mamre take their share.”