Genesis 18

The Lord appears unto Abraham in Mamre, Genesis 18:1 . Three angels, in human appearance, come towards his tent, Genesis 18:2 . He invites them in to wash and refresh themselves, Genesis 18:3-5 ; prepares a calf, bread, butter, and milk, for their entertainment; and himself serves them, Genesis 18:6-8 . They promise that within a year Sarah shall have a son, Genesis 18:9 , Genesis 18:10 . Sarah, knowing herself and husband to be superannuated, smiles at the promise, Genesis 18:11 , Genesis 18:12 . One of the three, who is called the Lord or Jehovah, chides her, and asserts the sufficiency of the Divine power to accomplish the promise, Genesis 18:13 , Genesis 18:14 . Sarah, through fear, denies that she had laughed or showed signs of unbelief, Genesis 18:15 . Abraham accompanies these Divine persons on their way to Sodom, Genesis 18:16 ; and that one who is called Jehovah informs him of his purpose to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, because of their great wickedness, Genesis 18:17-21 . The two former proceed toward Sodom, while the latter (Jehovah) remains with Abraham, Genesis 18:22 . Abraham intercedes for the inhabitants of those cities, entreating the Lord to spare them provided fifty righteous persons should be found in them, Genesis 18:23-25 . The Lord grants this request, Genesis 18:26 . He pleads for the same mercy should only forty-five be found there; which is also granted, Genesis 18:27 , Genesis 18:28 . He pleads the same for forty, which is also granted, Genesis 18:29 ; for thirty, with the same success, Genesis 18:30 ; for twenty, and receives the some gracious answer, Genesis 18:31 ; for ten, and the Lord assures him that should ten righteous persons be found there, he will not destroy the place, Genesis 18:32 . Jehovah then departs, and Abraham returns to his tent, Genesis 18:33 .