The Message

<div class="version vid97 iso6393eng" data-vid="97" data-iso6393="eng">
    <div class="book bkGEN">
        <div class="chapter ch18" data-usfm="GEN.18">
            <div class="label">18</div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1 v2" data-usfm="GEN.18.1+GEN.18.2"><span class="label">1-2</span><span class="content">  </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">God</span></span><span class="content"> appeared to Abraham at the Oaks of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance of his tent. It was the hottest part of the day. He looked up and saw three men standing. He ran from his tent to greet them and bowed before them.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1 v2" data-usfm="GEN.18.1+GEN.18.2"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v3 v4 v5" data-usfm="GEN.18.3+GEN.18.4+GEN.18.5"><span class="label">3-5</span><span class="content">He said, &#8220;Master, if it please you, stop for a while with your servant. I&#8217;ll get some water so you can wash your feet. Rest under this tree. I&#8217;ll get some food to refresh you on your way, since your travels have brought you across my path.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v3 v4 v5" data-usfm="GEN.18.3+GEN.18.4+GEN.18.5"><span class="content">They said, &#8220;Certainly. Go ahead.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v3 v4 v5" data-usfm="GEN.18.3+GEN.18.4+GEN.18.5"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="GEN.18.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. He said, &#8220;Hurry. Get three cups of our best flour; knead it and make bread.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="GEN.18.6"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v7 v8" data-usfm="GEN.18.7+GEN.18.8"><span class="label">7-8</span><span class="content">Then Abraham ran to the cattle pen and picked out a nice plump calf and gave it to the servant who lost no time getting it ready. Then he got curds and milk, brought them with the calf that had been roasted, set the meal before the men, and stood there under the tree while they ate.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v7 v8" data-usfm="GEN.18.7+GEN.18.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="GEN.18.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">The men said to him, &#8220;Where is Sarah your wife?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="GEN.18.9"><span class="content">He said, &#8220;In the tent.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="GEN.18.9"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="GEN.18.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">One of them said, &#8220;I&#8217;m coming back about this time next year. When I arrive, your wife Sarah will have a son.&#8221; Sarah was listening at the tent opening, just behind the man.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="GEN.18.10"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v11 v12" data-usfm="GEN.18.11+GEN.18.12"><span class="label">11-12</span><span class="content">Abraham and Sarah were old by this time, very old. Sarah was far past the age for having babies. Sarah laughed within herself, &#8220;An old woman like me? Get pregnant? With this old man of a husband?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v11 v12" data-usfm="GEN.18.11+GEN.18.12"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v13 v14" data-usfm="GEN.18.13+GEN.18.14"><span class="label">13-14</span><span class="content">  </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">God</span></span><span class="content"> said to Abraham, &#8220;Why did Sarah laugh saying, &#8216;Me? Have a baby? An old woman like me?&#8217; Is anything too hard for </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">God</span></span><span class="content">? I&#8217;ll be back about this time next year and Sarah will have a baby.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v13 v14" data-usfm="GEN.18.13+GEN.18.14"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="GEN.18.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">Sarah lied. She said, &#8220;I didn&#8217;t laugh,&#8221; because she was afraid.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="GEN.18.15"><span class="content">But he said, &#8220;Yes you did; you laughed.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="pc"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="GEN.18.15"><span class="content">* * *</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="GEN.18.15"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="GEN.18.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">When the men got up to leave, they set off for Sodom. Abraham walked with them to say good-bye.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="GEN.18.16"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v17 v18 v19" data-usfm="GEN.18.17+GEN.18.18+GEN.18.19"><span class="label">17-19</span><span class="content">Then </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">God</span></span><span class="content"> said, &#8220;Shall I keep back from Abraham what I&#8217;m about to do? Abraham is going to become a large and strong nation; all the nations of the world are going to find themselves blessed through him. Yes, I&#8217;ve settled on him as the one to train his children and future family to observe </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">God</span></span><span class="content">&#8217;s way of life, live kindly and generously and fairly, so that </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">God</span></span><span class="content"> can complete in Abraham what he promised him.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v17 v18 v19" data-usfm="GEN.18.17+GEN.18.18+GEN.18.19"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v20 v21" data-usfm="GEN.18.20+GEN.18.21"><span class="label">20-21</span><span class="content">  </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">God</span></span><span class="content"> continued, &#8220;The cries of the victims in Sodom and Gomorrah are deafening; the sin of those cities is immense. I&#8217;m going down to see for myself, see if what they&#8217;re doing is as bad as it sounds. Then I&#8217;ll know.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v20 v21" data-usfm="GEN.18.20+GEN.18.21"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="GEN.18.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">The men set out for Sodom, but Abraham stood in </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">God</span></span><span class="content">&#8217;s path, blocking his way.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="GEN.18.22"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v23 v24 v25" data-usfm="GEN.18.23+GEN.18.24+GEN.18.25"><span class="label">23-25</span><span class="content">Abraham confronted him, &#8220;Are you serious? Are you planning on getting rid of the good people right along with the bad? What if there are fifty decent people left in the city; will you lump the good with the bad and get rid of the lot? Wouldn&#8217;t you spare the city for the sake of those fifty innocents? I can&#8217;t believe you&#8217;d do that, kill off the good and the bad alike as if there were no difference between them. Doesn&#8217;t the Judge of all the Earth judge with justice?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v23 v24 v25" data-usfm="GEN.18.23+GEN.18.24+GEN.18.25"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="GEN.18.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="content">  </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">God</span></span><span class="content"> said, &#8220;If I find fifty decent people in the city of Sodom, I&#8217;ll spare the place just for them.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="GEN.18.26"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v27 v28" data-usfm="GEN.18.27+GEN.18.28"><span class="label">27-28</span><span class="content">Abraham came back, &#8220;Do I, a mere mortal made from a handful of dirt, dare open my mouth again to my Master? What if the fifty fall short by five&#8212;would you destroy the city because of those missing five?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v27 v28" data-usfm="GEN.18.27+GEN.18.28"><span class="content">He said, &#8220;I won&#8217;t destroy it if there are forty-five.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v27 v28" data-usfm="GEN.18.27+GEN.18.28"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="GEN.18.29"><span class="label">29</span><span class="content">Abraham spoke up again, &#8220;What if you only find forty?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="GEN.18.29"><span class="content">&#8220;Neither will I destroy it if for forty.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="GEN.18.29"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="GEN.18.30"><span class="label">30</span><span class="content">He said, &#8220;Master, don&#8217;t be irritated with me, but what if only thirty are found?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="GEN.18.30"><span class="content">&#8220;No, I won&#8217;t do it if I find thirty.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="GEN.18.30"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="GEN.18.31"><span class="label">31</span><span class="content">He pushed on, &#8220;I know I&#8217;m trying your patience, Master, but how about for twenty?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="GEN.18.31"><span class="content">&#8220;I won&#8217;t destroy it for twenty.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="GEN.18.31"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="GEN.18.32"><span class="label">32</span><span class="content">He wouldn&#8217;t quit, &#8220;Don&#8217;t get angry, Master&#8212;this is the last time. What if you only come up with ten?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="GEN.18.32"><span class="content">&#8220;For the sake of only ten, I won&#8217;t destroy the city.&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="GEN.18.32"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v33" data-usfm="GEN.18.33"><span class="label">33</span><span class="content">When </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">God</span></span><span class="content"> finished talking with Abraham, he left. And Abraham went home.</span></span></div>
        </div>
    </div>
</div>

GOD appeared to Abraham at the Oaks of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance of his tent. It was the hottest part of the day. He looked up and saw three men standing. He ran from his tent to greet them and bowed before them.
He said, “Master, if it please you, stop for a while with your servant. I’ll get some water so you can wash your feet. Rest under this tree. I’ll get some food to refresh you on your way, since your travels have brought you across my path.”
They said, “Certainly. Go ahead.”
Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. He said, “Hurry. Get three cups of our best flour; knead it and make bread.”
Then Abraham ran to the cattle pen and picked out a nice plump calf and gave it to the servant who lost no time getting it ready. Then he got curds and milk, brought them with the calf that had been roasted, set the meal before the men, and stood there under the tree while they ate.
The men said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?”
He said, “In the tent.”
One of them said, “I’m coming back about this time next year. When I arrive, your wife Sarah will have a son.” Sarah was listening at the tent opening, just behind the man.
Abraham and Sarah were old by this time, very old. Sarah was far past the age for having babies. Sarah laughed within herself, “An old woman like me? Get pregnant? With this old man of a husband?”
GOD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh saying, ‘Me? Have a baby? An old woman like me?’ Is anything too hard for GOD? I’ll be back about this time next year and Sarah will have a baby.”
Sarah lied. She said, “I didn’t laugh,” because she was afraid.
But he said, “Yes you did; you laughed.”
* * *
When the men got up to leave, they set off for Sodom. Abraham walked with them to say good-bye.
Then GOD said, “Shall I keep back from Abraham what I’m about to do? Abraham is going to become a large and strong nation; all the nations of the world are going to find themselves blessed through him. Yes, I’ve settled on him as the one to train his children and future family to observe GOD’s way of life, live kindly and generously and fairly, so that GOD can complete in Abraham what he promised him.”
GOD continued, “The cries of the victims in Sodom and Gomorrah are deafening; the sin of those cities is immense. I’m going down to see for myself, see if what they’re doing is as bad as it sounds. Then I’ll know.”
The men set out for Sodom, but Abraham stood in GOD’s path, blocking his way.
Abraham confronted him, “Are you serious? Are you planning on getting rid of the good people right along with the bad? What if there are fifty decent people left in the city; will you lump the good with the bad and get rid of the lot? Wouldn’t you spare the city for the sake of those fifty innocents? I can’t believe you’d do that, kill off the good and the bad alike as if there were no difference between them. Doesn’t the Judge of all the Earth judge with justice?”
GOD said, “If I find fifty decent people in the city of Sodom, I’ll spare the place just for them.”
Abraham came back, “Do I, a mere mortal made from a handful of dirt, dare open my mouth again to my Master? What if the fifty fall short by five—would you destroy the city because of those missing five?”
He said, “I won’t destroy it if there are forty-five.”
Abraham spoke up again, “What if you only find forty?”
“Neither will I destroy it if for forty.”
He said, “Master, don’t be irritated with me, but what if only thirty are found?”
“No, I won’t do it if I find thirty.”
He pushed on, “I know I’m trying your patience, Master, but how about for twenty?”
“I won’t destroy it for twenty.”
He wouldn’t quit, “Don’t get angry, Master—this is the last time. What if you only come up with ten?”
“For the sake of only ten, I won’t destroy the city.”
When GOD finished talking with Abraham, he left. And Abraham went home.

Feti si Genesis 18