God’s Promise to Abram

17 Then after his return from the [a]defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, (A)the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, (B)the King’s Valley). 18 And (C)Melchizedek the king of Salem brought out (D)bread and wine; now he was a (E)priest of [b]God Most High. 19 And he blessed him and said,

“Blessed be Abram of [c]God Most High,
[d](F)Possessor of heaven and earth;
20 And blessed be [e]God Most High,
Who has handed over your enemies to you.”

And (G)he gave him a tenth of everything. 21 Then the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give the [f]people to me and take the possessions for yourself.” 22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have [g]sworn to the Lord [h](H)God Most High, [i](I)Possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that (J)I will not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, so that you do not say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ 24 [j]I will take nothing except what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me, (K)Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their share.”

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Footnotes

  1. Genesis 14:17 Lit striking
  2. Genesis 14:18 Heb El Elyon
  3. Genesis 14:19 Heb El Elyon
  4. Genesis 14:19 Or Creator
  5. Genesis 14:20 Heb El Elyon
  6. Genesis 14:21 Lit soul
  7. Genesis 14:22 Lit lifted up my hand
  8. Genesis 14:22 Heb El Elyon
  9. Genesis 14:22 Or Creator
  10. Genesis 14:24 Lit Not to me except

Melchizedek Blesses Abram

17 After Abram returned from his victory over Kedorlaomer and all his allies, the king of Sodom went out to meet him in the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).

18 And Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High,[a] brought Abram some bread and wine. 19 Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing:

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
    Creator of heaven and earth.
20 And blessed be God Most High,
    who has defeated your enemies for you.”

Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered.

21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give back my people who were captured. But you may keep for yourself all the goods you have recovered.”

22 Abram replied to the king of Sodom, “I solemnly swear to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, 23 that I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from what belongs to you. Otherwise you might say, ‘I am the one who made Abram rich.’ 24 I will accept only what my young warriors have already eaten, and I request that you give a fair share of the goods to my allies—Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre.”

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Footnotes

  1. 14:18 Hebrew El-Elyon; also in 14:19, 20, 22.