12. They also took Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions since he was living in Sodom.
13. Then a soldier who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew what had happened. He was living next to the oak trees belonging to Mamre the Amorite, a brother of Eshcol and Aner. (These men were Abram’s allies.)
14. When Abram heard that his nephew had been captured, he armed his 318 trained men, born in his own household, and pursued the four kings all the way to Dan.
15. He split up his men to attack them at night. He defeated them, pursuing them all the way to Hobah, which is north of Damascus.
16. He brought back everything they had, including women and soldiers. He also brought back his relative Lot and his possessions.
17. After Abram came back from defeating Chedorlaomer and his allies, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Shaveh Valley (that is, the King’s Valley).
18. Then King Melchizedek of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was a priest of God Most High.
19. He blessed Abram, and said,“Blessed is Abram by God Most High,maker of heaven and earth.
20. Blessed is God Most High,who has handed your enemies over to you.”Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
21. The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people, and keep everything else for yourself.”
22. But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I now raise my hand and solemnly swear to the Lord God Most High, maker of heaven and earth,
23. that I won’t take a thread or a sandal strap. I won’t take anything that is yours so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’
24. I won’t take one single thing except what my men have eaten. But let my allies Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share.”