The Lantern

Genesis18

The Three Visitors

And the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he was sitting at the opening of the tent in the heat of the day.

And he lifted up his eyes and looked — and look, three men standing near him. And he saw them, and ran from the opening of the tent to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground,

and said, “My lords, if I have found favor in your eyes, please do not pass by your servant.

Let a little water be brought, please, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree.

And let me get a piece of bread, and refresh your hearts; after that you may pass on — since you have passed by your servant.” And they said, “Do as you have said.”

And Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quick — three measures of fine flour! Knead it and make bread cakes.”

And Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the young man, and he hurried to prepare it.

And he took curds and milk and the calf he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they ate.

Sarah Laughs at the Promise

And they said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “Look, in the tent.”

And he said, “I will surely return to you at the time of life — and look, a son for Sarah your wife.” And Sarah was listening at the opening of the tent, which was behind him.

Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well along in days; the way of women had ceased to be with Sarah.

And Sarah laughed within herself: “After I am worn out, shall I have pleasure — and my lord old?”

And the LORD said to Abraham, “Why is this — that Sarah laughed, saying, ‘Shall I really give birth, now that I am old?’

Is anything too wonderful for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, at the time of life — and Sarah shall have a son.”

And Sarah denied it — “I did not laugh” — for she was afraid. And he said, “No, but you did laugh.”

Abraham Intercedes for Sodom

And the men rose up from there and looked down toward the face of Sodom; and Abraham was walking with them to send them on their way.

And the LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing —

Abraham, who shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and in whom all the nations of the earth shall be blessed?

For I have known him, so that he will command his sons and his house after him, and they will keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice — so that the LORD may bring on Abraham what he has spoken concerning him.”

And the LORD said, “The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah — how great it is; and their sin — how very heavy.

Let me go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to its outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know.”

And the men turned from there and went toward Sodom — and Abraham was still standing before the LORD.

And Abraham came near and said, “Will you really sweep away the righteous with the wicked?

Perhaps there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you really sweep it away, and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are within it?

Far be it from you to do such a thing — to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked. Far be it from you! Shall the Judge of all the earth not do justice?”

And the LORD said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake.”

And Abraham answered and said, “Look now, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord — and I am dust and ashes.

Perhaps the fifty righteous will lack five. Will you ruin the whole city for the five?” And he said, “I will not ruin it, if I find forty-five there.”

And again he spoke to him: “Perhaps forty will be found there.” And he said, “I will not do it, for the sake of the forty.”

And he said, “Please, let the Lord not burn with anger, and I will speak. Perhaps thirty will be found there.” And he said, “I will not do it, if I find thirty there.”

And he said, “Look now, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. Perhaps twenty will be found there.” And he said, “I will not ruin it, for the sake of the twenty.”

And he said, “Please, let the Lord not burn with anger, and I will speak just this once. Perhaps ten will be found there.” And he said, “I will not ruin it, for the sake of the ten.”

And the LORD went his way when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.