Abram Blessed by Melchizedek

17 After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the (A)King's Valley). 18 And (B)Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was (C)priest of (D)God Most High.) 19 And he blessed him and said,

(E)“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
    (F)Possessor[a] of heaven and earth;
20 and blessed be God Most High,
    who has delivered your enemies into your hand!”

And Abram gave him (G)a tenth of everything. 21 And the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.” 22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, (H)“I have lifted my hand[b] to the Lord, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that (I)I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ 24 I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let (J)Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share.”

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Footnotes

  1. Genesis 14:19 Or Creator; also verse 22
  2. Genesis 14:22 Or I have taken a solemn oath

The Blessing of Melchizedek

17 After Abram’s return[a] from defeating Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with them, the king of Sodom went out to meet with him in the Shaveh Valley (that is, the King’s Valley). 18 King Melchizedek of Salem brought out bread and wine, since he was serving as[b] the priest of God Most High. 19 Melchizedek[c] blessed Abram[d] and said,

“Abram is blessed by God Most High,
    Creator of heaven and earth,
20 and blessed be God Most High,
    who has delivered your enemies
        into your control.”

Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

Conversation with the King of Sodom

21 The king of Sodom told Abram, “Return the people to me, and you take the possessions for yourself.”

22 But Abram answered the king of Sodom, “I have made an oath to the Lord God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, 23 that I will not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that belongs to you, so you won’t be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’ 24 I will take nothing except what my warriors have eaten. But as for what belongs to the men who were allied[e] with me, including Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre, let them take their share.”

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Footnotes

  1. Genesis 14:17 Lit. his return
  2. Genesis 14:18 The Heb. lacks serving as
  3. Genesis 14:19 Lit. He
  4. Genesis 14:19 Lit. him
  5. Genesis 14:24 Lit. who came