Genesis 18:17-30, New Living Translation
17 "Should I hide my plan from Abraham?" the LORD asked.
18 "For Abraham will become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed through him.
19 I have singled him out so that he will direct his sons and their families to keep the way of the LORD and do what is right and just. Then I will do for him all that I have promised."
20 So the LORD told Abraham, "I have heard that the people of Sodom and Gomorrah are extremely evil, and that everything they do is wicked.
21 I am going down to see whether or not these reports are true. Then I will know."
22 The two other men went on toward Sodom, but the LORD remained with Abraham for a while.
23 Abraham approached him and said, "Will you destroy both innocent and guilty alike?
24 Suppose you find fifty innocent people there within the city—will you still destroy it, and not spare it for their sakes?
25 Surely you wouldn't do such a thing, destroying the innocent with the guilty. Why, you would be treating the innocent and the guilty 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 innocent people in Sodom, I will spare the entire city for their sake."
27 Then Abraham spoke again. "Since I have begun, let me go on and speak further to my Lord, even though I am but dust and ashes.
28 Suppose there are only forty-five? Will you destroy the city for lack of five?"
And the LORD said, "I will not destroy it if I find forty-five."
29 Then Abraham pressed his request further. "Suppose there are only forty?"
And the LORD replied, "I will not destroy it if there are forty."
30 "Please don't be angry, my Lord," Abraham pleaded. "Let me speak—suppose only thirty are found?"
And the LORD replied, "I will not destroy it if there are thirty."
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