17
The LORD said, "Will I hide from Avraham what I do,
18
seeing that Avraham has surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the eretz will be blessed in him?
19
For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice; to the end that the LORD may bring on Avraham that which he has spoken of him."
20
The LORD said, "Because the cry of Sedom and `Amorah is great, and because their sin is very grievous,
21
I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come to me. If not, I will know."
22
The men turned from there, and went toward Sedom, but Avraham stood yet before the LORD.
23
Avraham drew near, and said, "Will you consume the righteous with the wicked?
24
What if there are fifty righteous within the city? Will you consume and not spare the place for the fifty righteous who are therein?
25
Be it far from you to do things like that, to kill the righteous with the wicked, that so the righteous should be as the wicked. May that be far from you. Shouldn't the Judge of all the eretz do right?"
26
The LORD said, "If I find in Sedom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sake."
27
Avraham answered, "See now, I have taken it on myself to speak to the Lord, who am but dust and ashes.