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.”