Genesis 18:20-32

Contemporary English Version

²⁰ The Lord said, “Abraham, I have heard that the people of Sodom and Gomorrah are doing all kinds of evil things. ²¹ Now I am going down to see for myself if those people really are that bad. If they aren't, I would like to know.”

²² The men turned and started toward Sodom. But the Lord stayed with Abraham. ²³ And Abraham asked him, “Lord, when you destroy the evil people, are you also going to destroy those who are good? ²⁴ Wouldn't you spare the city if there are only 50 good people in it? ²⁵ You surely wouldn't let them be killed when you destroy the evil ones. You are the judge of all the earth, and you do what is right.”

²⁶ The Lord replied, “If I find 50 good people in Sodom, I will save the city to keep them from being killed.”

²⁷ Abraham answered, “I am nothing more than the dust of the earth. Please forgive me, Lord, for daring to speak to you like this. ²⁸ But suppose there are only 45 good people in Sodom. Would you still wipe out the whole city?”

“If I find 45 good people,” the Lord replied, “I won't destroy the city.”

²⁹ “Suppose there are just 40 good people?” Abraham asked.

“Even for them,” the Lord replied, “I won't destroy the city.”

³⁰ Abraham said, “Please don't be angry, Lord, if I ask you what you will do if there are only 30 good people in the city.”

“If I find 30,” the Lord replied, “I still won't destroy it.”

³¹ Then Abraham said, “I don't have any right to ask you, Lord, but what would you do if you find only 20?”

“Because of them, I won't destroy the city,” was the Lord's answer.

³² Finally, Abraham said, “Please don't get angry, Lord, if I speak just once more. Suppose you find only 10 good people there.”

“For the sake of 10 good people,” the Lord told him, “I still won't destroy the city.”