Study Desk

For twelve years they had been subject to Chedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled.

Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some men fell into the pits, but the survivors fled to the hill country.

The king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the people, but take the goods for yourself."

But Abram replied to the king of Sodom, "I have raised my hand to the LORD God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth,

I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share for the men who went with me-Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre. They may take their portion."

But Abram replied, "O Lord GOD, what can You give me, since I remain childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?"

Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, "This one will not be your heir, but one who comes from your own body will be your heir."

But Abram replied, "Lord GOD, how can I know that I will possess it?"

And the birds of prey descended on the carcasses, but Abram drove them away.

But I will judge the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will depart with many possessions.

Now Abram's wife Sarai had not borne a child to him, but she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar.

And he slept with Hagar, and she conceived. But when Hagar realized that she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress.

No longer will you be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham, for I have made you the father of many nations.

But if any male is not circumcised, he will be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant."

But God replied, "Your wife Sarah will indeed bear you a son, and you are to name him Isaac. I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.

But I will establish My covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this time next year."

But Sarah denied it, saying, "I did not laugh." For she was afraid. "No," replied the LORD, "but you did laugh."

And the two men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the LORD.

Then Abraham answered, "Now that I have ventured to speak to the Lord-though I am but dust and ashes-

Then Abraham said, "May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak further. Suppose thirty are found there?" He answered, "If I find thirty there, I will not do it."