19. I have singled him out so that he will direct his sons and their families to keep the way of the lord by doing what is right and just. Then I will do for Abraham all that I have promised.”
20. So the lord told Abraham, “I have heard a great outcry from Sodom and Gomorrah, because their sin is so flagrant.
21. I am going down to see if their actions are as wicked as I have heard. If not, I want to know.”
22. The other men turned and headed toward Sodom, but the lord remained with Abraham.
23. Abraham approached him and said, “Will you sweep away both the righteous and the wicked?
24. Suppose you find fifty righteous people living there in the city—will you still sweep it away and not spare it for their sakes?
25. Surely you wouldn’t do such a thing, destroying the righteous along with the wicked. Why, you would be treating the righteous and the wicked exactly the same! Surely you wouldn’t do that! Should not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?”
26. And the lord replied, “If I find fifty righteous people in Sodom, I will spare the entire city for their sake.”
27. Then Abraham spoke again. “Since I have begun, let me speak further to my Lord, even though I am but dust and ashes.