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.”
29. “Suppose there are just forty good people?” Abraham asked.“Even for them,” the Lord replied, “I won't destroy the city.”
30. Abraham said, “Please don't be angry, Lord, if I ask you what you will do if there are only thirty good people in the city.”“If I find thirty,” the Lord replied, “I still won't destroy it.”
31. Then Abraham said, “I don't have any right to ask you, Lord, but what would you do if you find only twenty?”“Because of them, I won't destroy the city,” was the Lord's answer.
32. Finally, Abraham said, “Please don't get angry, Lord, if I speak just once more. Suppose you find only ten good people there.”“For the sake of ten good people,” the Lord told him, “I still won't destroy the city.”
33. After speaking with Abraham, the Lord left, and Abraham went back home.