16
Then the men got up to leave and started out toward Sodom. Abraham walked along with them a short time to send them on their way.
17
The Lord said, "Should I tell Abraham what I am going to do now?
18
Abraham's children will certainly become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him.
19
I have chosen him so he would command his children and his descendants to live the way the Lord wants them to, to live right and be fair. Then I, the Lord, will give Abraham what I promised him."
20
Then the Lord said, "I have heard many complaints against the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. They are very evil.
21
I will go down and see if they are as bad as I have heard. If not, I will know."
22
So the men turned and went toward Sodom, but Abraham stood there before the Lord.
23
Then Abraham approached him and asked, "Do you plan to destroy the good people along with the evil ones?
24
What if there are fifty good people in that city? Will you still destroy it? Surely you will save the city for the fifty good people living there.
25
Surely you will not destroy the good people along with the evil ones; then they would be treated the same. You are the judge of all the earth. Won't you do what is right?"
26
The Lord said, "If I find fifty good people in the city of Sodom, I will save the whole city because of them."
27
Then Abraham said, "Though I am only dust and ashes, I have been brave to speak to the Lord.
28
What if there are only forty-five good people in the city? Will you destroy the whole city for the lack of five good people?" The Lord said, "If I find forty-five there, I will not destroy the city."
29
Again Abraham said to him, "If you find only forty good people there, will you destroy the city?" The Lord said, "If I find forty, I will not destroy it."
30
Then Abraham said, "Lord, please don't be angry with me, but let me ask you this. If you find only thirty good people in the city, will you destroy it?" He said, "If I find thirty good people there, I will not destroy the city."
31
Then Abraham said, "I have been brave to speak to the Lord. But what if there are twenty good people in the city?" He answered, "If I find twenty there, I will not destroy the city."
32
Then Abraham said, "Lord, please don't be angry with me, but let me bother you this one last time. What if you find ten there?" He said, "If I find ten there, I will not destroy it."
33
When the Lord finished speaking to Abraham, he left, and Abraham returned home.
