Genesis 18
International Children’s Bible
The Three Visitors
18 Later, the Lord again appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre. At that time Abraham was sitting at the door of his tent. It was during the hottest part of the day. 2 He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When Abraham saw them, he ran from his tent to meet them. He bowed facedown on the ground before them. 3 Abraham said, “Sir, if you think well of me, please stay awhile with me, your servant. 4 I will bring some water so all of you can wash your feet. You may rest under the tree. 5 I will get some bread for you, so you can regain your strength. Then you may continue your journey.”
The three men said, “That is fine. Do as you said.”
6 Abraham hurried to the tent where Sarah was. He said to her, “Hurry, prepare 20 quarts of fine flour. Make it into loaves of bread.” 7 Then Abraham ran to his cattle. He took one of his best calves and gave it to a servant. The servant hurried to kill the calf and to prepare it for food. 8 Abraham gave the three men the calf that had been cooked. He also gave them milk curds and milk. While the three men ate, he stood under the tree near them.
9 The men asked Abraham, “Where is your wife Sarah?”
“There, in the tent,” said Abraham.
10 Then the Lord said, “I will certainly return to you about this time a year from now. At that time your wife Sarah will have a son.”
Sarah was listening at the entrance of the tent which was behind him. 11 Abraham and Sarah were very old. Sarah was past the age when women normally have children. 12 So she laughed to herself, “My husband and I are too old to have a baby.”
13 Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, ‘I am too old to have a baby’? 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? No! I will return to you at the right time a year from now. And Sarah will have a son.”
15 Sarah was afraid. So she lied and said, “I didn’t laugh.”
But the Lord said, “No. You did laugh.”
16 Then the men got up to leave and started out toward Sodom. Abraham walked along with them a short time to send them on their way.
Abraham’s Bargain with God
17 The Lord said, “Should I tell Abraham what I am going to do now? 18 Abraham’s children will certainly become a great and powerful nation. And all nations on earth will be blessed through him. 19 I have chosen him so he would command his children and his descendants to live the way the Lord wants them to. I did this so they would live right and be fair. Then I, the Lord, will give Abraham what I promised him.”
20 Then the Lord said, “I have heard many things against the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. They are very evil. 21 So I will go down and see if they are as bad as I have heard.”
22 So the men turned and went toward Sodom. But Abraham stood there before the Lord. 23 Then Abraham approached the Lord. Abraham asked, “Lord, do you plan to destroy the good persons along with the evil persons? 24 What if there are 50 good people in that city? Will you still destroy it? Surely you will save the city for the 50 good people living there. 25 Surely you will not destroy the good people along with the evil people. Then the good people and the evil people would be treated the same. You are the judge of all the earth. Won’t you do what is right?”
26 Then the Lord said, “If I find 50 good people in the city of Sodom, I will save the whole city because of them.”
27 Then Abraham said, “I am only dust and ashes. Yet I have been brave to speak to the Lord. 28 What if there are only 45 good people in the city? Will you destroy the whole city for the lack of 5 good people?”
The Lord said, “If I find 45 good people there, I will not destroy the city.”
29 Again Abraham said to the Lord, “If you find only 40 good people there, will you destroy the city?”
The Lord said, “If I find 40 good people, I will not destroy the city.”
30 Then Abraham said, “Lord, please don’t be angry with me. Let me ask you this. If you find only 30 good people in the city, will you destroy it?”
The Lord said, “If I find 30 good people there, I will not destroy the city.”
31 Then Abraham said, “I have been brave to speak to the Lord. But what if there are 20 good people in the city?”
The Lord answered, “If I find 20 good people there, I will not destroy the city.”
32 Then Abraham said, “Lord, please don’t be angry with me. Let me bother you this one last time. What if you find 10 good people there?”
The Lord said, “If I find 10 good people there, I will not destroy it.”
33 When the Lord finished speaking to Abraham, he left. And Abraham returned home.
Génesis 18
Nueva Biblia de las Américas
Promesa del nacimiento de Isaac
18 Y el Señor se le apareció(A) a Abraham en el encinar[a] de Mamre(B), mientras él estaba sentado a la puerta de la tienda en el calor del día. 2 Cuando Abraham alzó los ojos y miró, había tres hombres(C) parados frente a él. Al verlos corrió de la puerta de la tienda a recibirlos, y se postró en tierra, 3 y dijo: «Señor mío[b], si ahora he hallado gracia ante sus ojos, le ruego que no pase de largo junto a su siervo. 4 Que se traiga[c] ahora un poco de agua y lávense ustedes los pies(D), y reposen[d] bajo el árbol. 5 Yo traeré[e] un pedazo de pan para que se alimenten[f](E) y después sigan adelante, puesto que han visitado[g] a su siervo». «Haz así como has dicho», dijeron ellos.
6 Entonces Abraham fue de prisa a la tienda donde estaba Sara, y dijo: «Apresúrate a preparar[h] 40 litros de flor de harina, amásala y haz tortas de pan». 7 Corrió también Abraham a la vacada y tomó un becerro tierno y de los mejores, y se lo dio al criado, que se apresuró a prepararlo. 8 Tomó también cuajada, leche y el becerro que había preparado, y lo puso delante de ellos. Mientras[i] comían, Abraham se quedó de pie junto a ellos bajo el árbol.
9 Entonces ellos le dijeron: «¿Dónde está Sara tu mujer?». «Allí[j] en la tienda», les respondió. 10 Y uno de ellos dijo: «Ciertamente volveré a ti por este tiempo el año próximo[k], y Sara tu mujer tendrá un hijo(F)». Y Sara estaba escuchando a la puerta de la tienda que estaba detrás de él.
11 Abraham y Sara eran ancianos, entrados en años[l](G). Y a Sara le había cesado ya la costumbre de las mujeres(H). 12 Sara se rió para sus adentros, diciendo: «¿Tendré placer después de haber envejecido(I), siendo también viejo mi señor(J)?».
13 Y el Señor dijo a Abraham: «¿Por qué se rió Sara, diciendo: “¿Concebiré en verdad[m] siendo yo tan vieja?”. 14 ¿Hay algo demasiado difícil[n] para el Señor(K)? Volveré a ti al tiempo señalado, por este tiempo el año próximo[o], y Sara tendrá un hijo(L)».
15 Pero Sara lo negó, porque tuvo miedo, diciendo: «No me reí». «No es así, sino que te has reído», le dijo el Señor.
Abraham intercede por Sodoma y Gomorra
16 Entonces los hombres se levantaron de allí, y miraron hacia Sodoma(M). Abraham iba con ellos para despedirlos. 17 Pero el Señor dijo: «¿Ocultaré a Abraham(N) lo que voy a hacer(O)? 18 Porque ciertamente Abraham llegará a ser una nación grande y poderosa, y en él serán benditas todas las naciones de la tierra(P). 19 Y Yo lo he escogido[p](Q) para que mande a sus hijos y a su casa después de él que guarden el camino del Señor(R), haciendo justicia y juicio, para que el Señor cumpla en[q] Abraham(S) todo lo que Él ha dicho acerca de él(T)».
20 Después el Señor dijo: «El clamor de Sodoma y Gomorra ciertamente es grande, y su pecado es sumamente grave(U). 21 Descenderé ahora(V) y veré si han hecho en todo conforme a su clamor, el cual ha llegado hasta Mí. Y si no, lo sabré».
22 Entonces los hombres se apartaron de allí y fueron hacia Sodoma(W), mientras Abraham estaba todavía de pie delante del Señor(X). 23 Y Abraham se acercó al Señor y dijo: «¿En verdad destruirás al justo junto con el impío(Y)? 24 Tal vez haya cincuenta justos dentro de la ciudad. ¿En verdad la destruirás y no perdonarás el lugar por amor a los cincuenta justos que hay en ella? 25 Lejos de Ti hacer tal cosa[r]: matar al justo con el impío, de modo que el justo y el impío sean tratados de la misma manera. ¡Lejos de Ti! El Juez de toda la tierra, ¿no hará justicia[s](Z)?».
26 Entonces el Señor le respondió: «Si hallo en Sodoma cincuenta justos dentro de la ciudad, perdonaré a todo el lugar por consideración a ellos(AA)». 27 Y Abraham respondió: «Ahora que me he atrevido[t] a hablar al Señor, yo que soy polvo y ceniza(AB). 28 Tal vez falten cinco para los cincuenta justos. ¿Destruirás por los cinco a toda la ciudad?». Y el Señor respondió: «No la destruiré si hallo allí cuarenta y cinco».
29 Abraham le habló de nuevo: «Tal vez se hallen allí cuarenta». Y Él respondió: «No lo haré, por consideración a los cuarenta». 30 Entonces Abraham dijo: «No se enoje ahora el Señor, y hablaré. Tal vez se hallen allí treinta». «No lo haré si hallo allí treinta», respondió el Señor. 31 Y Abraham dijo: «Ahora me he atrevido[u] a hablar al Señor. Tal vez se hallen allí veinte». Y Él respondió: «No la destruiré por consideración a los veinte». 32 Entonces Abraham dijo: «No se enoje ahora el Señor, y hablaré solo esta vez(AC). Tal vez se hallen allí diez». «No la destruiré por consideración a los diez», respondió el Señor. 33 Tan pronto como acabó de hablar con Abraham(AD), el Señor se fue, y Abraham volvió a su lugar.
Footnotes
- 18:1 O los terebintos.
- 18:3 U Oh Señor.
- 18:4 Lit. Que se tome.
- 18:4 Lit. apóyense.
- 18:5 Lit. tomaré.
- 18:5 Lit. sustenten su corazón.
- 18:5 Lit. venido.
- 18:6 Lit. Apresura tres.
- 18:8 Lit. y.
- 18:9 Lit. He aquí.
- 18:10 Lit. cuando el tiempo reviva.
- 18:11 Lit. días.
- 18:13 Lit. ¿Ciertamente en verdad concebiré.
- 18:14 O maravilloso.
- 18:14 Lit. cuando el tiempo reviva.
- 18:19 Lit. conocido.
- 18:19 Lit. traiga sobre.
- 18:25 Lit. de esta manera.
- 18:25 O juicio.
- 18:27 Lit. he comenzado.
- 18:31 Lit. he comenzado.
Genesis 18
King James Version
18 And the Lord appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;
2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,
3 And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:
4 Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:
5 And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.
6 And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth.
7 And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it.
8 And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.
9 And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent.
10 And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.
11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.
12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?
13 And the Lord said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?
14 Is any thing too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.
15 Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.
16 And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.
17 And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;
18 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?
19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.
20 And the Lord said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;
21 I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.
22 And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the Lord.
23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?
25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?
26 And the Lord said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.
27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:
28 Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it.
29 And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty's sake.
30 And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there.
31 And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty's sake.
32 And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake.
33 And the Lord went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.
The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.
Nueva Biblia de las Américas™ NBLA™ Copyright © 2005 por The Lockman Foundation
