15. Sarah was afraid. So she lied and said, “I didn’t laugh.”But the Lord said, “No. You did laugh.”
16. Then the men got up to leave and started out toward Sodom. Abraham walked along with them a short time to send them on their way.
17. The Lord said, “Should I tell Abraham what I am going to do now?
18. Abraham’s children will certainly become a great and powerful nation. And all nations on earth will be blessed through him.
19. I have chosen him so he would command his children and his descendants to live the way the Lord wants them to. I did this so they would live right and be fair. Then I, the Lord, will give Abraham what I promised him.”
20. Then the Lord said, “I have heard many things against the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. They are very evil.
21. So I will go down and see if they are as bad as I have heard.”
22. So the men turned and went toward Sodom. But Abraham stood there before the Lord.
23. Then Abraham approached the Lord. Abraham asked, “Lord, do you plan to destroy the good persons along with the evil persons?
24. What if there are 50 good people in that city? Will you still destroy it? Surely you will save the city for the 50 good people living there.
25. Surely you will not destroy the good people along with the evil people. Then the good people and the evil people would be treated the same. You are the judge of all the earth. Won’t you do what is right?”
26. Then the Lord said, “If I find 50 good people in the city of Sodom, I will save the whole city because of them.”
27. Then Abraham said, “I am only dust and ashes. Yet I have been brave to speak to the Lord.
28. What if there are only 45 good people in the city? Will you destroy the whole city for the lack of 5 good people?”The Lord said, “If I find 45 good people there, I will not destroy the city.”
29. Again Abraham said to the Lord, “If you find only 40 good people there, will you destroy the city?”The Lord said, “If I find 40 good people, I will not destroy the city.”
30. Then Abraham said, “Lord, please don’t be angry with me. Let me ask you this. If you find only 30 good people in the city, will you destroy it?”The Lord said, “If I find 30 good people there, I will not destroy the city.”