17. The Lord said to himself, “I should tell Abraham what I am going to do,
18. since his family will become a great and powerful nation that will be a blessing to all other nations on earth.
19. I have chosen him to teach his family to obey me for ever and to do what is right and fair. Then I will give Abraham many descendants, just as I promised.”
20. The Lord said, “Abraham, I have heard that the people of Sodom and Gomorrah are doing all kinds of evil things.
21. Now I am going down to see for myself if those people really are that bad. If they aren't, I want to know about it.”
22. The men turned and started towards Sodom. But the Lord stayed with Abraham,
23. who asked, “Lord, when you destroy the evil people, are you also going to destroy those who are good?
24. Wouldn't you spare the city if there are only fifty good people in it?
25. You surely wouldn't let them be killed when you destroy the evil ones. You are the judge of all the earth, and you do what is right.”
26. The Lord replied, “If I find fifty good people in Sodom, I will save the city to keep them from being killed.”
27. Abraham answered, “I am nothing more than the dust of the earth. Please forgive me, Lord, for daring to speak to you like this.
28. But suppose there are only forty-five good people in Sodom. Would you still wipe out the whole city?”“If I find forty-five good people,” the Lord replied, “I won't destroy the city.”