²⁶ The Lord said, “If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake.^(A)”

²⁹ Once again he spoke to him, “What if only forty are found there?”

He said, “For the sake of forty, I will not do it.”

³⁰ Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry,^(A) but let me speak. What if only thirty can be found there?”

He answered, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.”

³² Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more.^(A) What if only ten can be found there?”

He answered, “For the sake of ten,^(B) I will not destroy it.”

²² But flee there quickly, because I cannot do anything until you reach it.” (That is why the town was called Zoar.^[a](A))

⁴ I will make your descendants^(A) as numerous as the stars in the sky^(B) and will give them all these lands,^(C) and through your offspring^[a] all nations on earth will be blessed,^[b](D)

⁵ because Abraham obeyed me^(A) and did everything I required of him, keeping my commands, my decrees^(B) and my instructions.^(C)”

²⁴ That night the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham.^(A) Do not be afraid,^(B) for I am with you;^(C) I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants^(D) for the sake of my servant Abraham.”^(E)

¹² Nevertheless, for the sake of David^(A) your father, I will not do it during your lifetime. I will tear it out of the hand of your son.