18. He will certainly become a great and powerful nation. All nations on earth will be blessed because of him.
19. "I have chosen him. He must direct his children. He must see that the members of his family after him live the way I want them to. So he must direct them to do what is right and fair. Then I, the Lord, will do for Abraham what I have promised him."
20. The Lord said, "The cries against Sodom and Gomorrah are very great. Their sin is so bad
21. that I will go down and see for myself. I want to see if what they have done is as bad as the cries that have reached me. If it is not, then I will know."
22. The men turned away. They went toward Sodom. But Abraham remained standing in front of the Lord.
23. Then Abraham came up to him. He said, "Will you sweep away godly people along with those who are evil?
24. What if there are 50 godly people in the city? Will you really sweep it away? Won't you spare the place because of the 50 godly people in it?
25. "You would never kill godly people along with those who are evil, would you? You wouldn't treat godly and evil people alike. You would never do anything like that! Won't the Judge of the whole earth do what is right?"
26. The Lord said, "If I find 50 godly people in the city of Sodom, I will save it. I will spare the whole place because of them."
27. Then Abraham spoke up again. He said, "I have been very bold to speak to the Lord. After all, I'm only dust and ashes.