Genesis 18:23-33

23Abraham approached and said, “1Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?

24Suppose there are fifty righteous people within the city; will You indeed sweep it away and not 2spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it?

25Far be it from You to do 3such a thing, to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not 4the Judge of all the earth 5deal justly?”

26So the Lord said, “6If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will 7spare the entire place on their account.”

27And Abraham replied, “Now behold, I have 8ventured to speak to the Lord, although I am only 9dust and ashes.

28Suppose the fifty righteous are lacking five, will You destroy the entire city because of five?” And He said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.”

29And he spoke to Him yet again and said, “Suppose forty are found there?” And He said, “I will not do it on account of the forty.”

30Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak; suppose thirty are found there?” And He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.”

31And he said, “Now behold, I have 10ventured to speak to the Lord; suppose twenty are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the twenty.”

32Then he said, “11Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once: suppose ten are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the ten.”

33As soon as He had finished speaking to Abraham 12the Lord departed, and Abraham returned to his place.