Three Men Visit Abraham
1 The LORD appeared to Abraham near the large trees of Mamre. Abraham was sitting at the entrance to his tent. It was the hottest time of the day.
2
Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. He quickly left the entrance to his tent to meet them. He bowed low to the ground.
3
He said, "My lord, if you are pleased with me, don't pass me by.
4
Let a little water be brought. All of you can wash your feet and rest under this tree.
5
"Let me get you something to eat to give you strength. Then you can go on your way. I want to do this for you now that you have come to me." "All right," they answered. "Go ahead and do it."
6
So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. "Quick!" he said. "Get about half a bushel of fine flour. Mix it and bake some bread."
7
Then he ran to the herd. He picked out a choice, tender calf. He gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it.
8
Then he brought some butter and milk and the calf that had been prepared. He served them to the three men. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.
9
"Where is your wife Sarah?" they asked him. "Over there, in the tent," he said.
10
Then the LORD said, "You can be sure that I will return to you about this time next year. Your wife Sarah will have a son." Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent behind him.
11
Abraham and Sarah were already very old. Sarah was too old to have a baby.
12
So she laughed to herself. She thought, "I'm worn out, and my husband is old. Can I really know the joy of having a baby?"
13
Then the LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, 'Will I really have a baby, now that I am old?'
14
Is anything too hard for me? I will return to you at the appointed time next year. Sarah will have a son."
15
Sarah was afraid. So she lied and said, "I didn't laugh." But the LORD said, "Yes, you did."