Genesis 18:17-23

17The Lord said, “I shouldn’t hide what I am going to do from Abraham.

18After all, Abraham is going to become a great and mighty nation and through him all the nations of the earth will be blessed.

19I have chosen him so that he will direct his children and his family after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just. In this way I, the Lord, will do what I have promised Abraham.”

20The Lord also said, “Sodom and Gomorrah have many complaints against them, and their sin is very serious.

21I must go down and see whether these complaints are true. If not, I will know it.”

22From there the men turned and went on toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing in front of the Lord.

23Abraham came closer and asked, “Are you really going to sweep away the innocent with the guilty?