Chapter XII.
DESTRUCTION OF SODOM AND GOMORRHA.
[Gen. 19.]
ABRAHAM went[1] part of the way with the strangers, who were going to Sodom. As they journeyed along together, the Lord[2] said to Abraham: “The cry of Sodom and Gomorrha is multiplied, and their sin [3] is become exceedingly grievous.” He told him that He would destroy the two cities. Abraham was struck with fear; for, although the men amongst whom he lived were wicked, he loved them as neighbours. At last, drawing near to the Lord, he said: “Wilt Thou destroy the just with the wicked? If there be fifty just men in the city, shall they perish withal? and wilt Thou not spare that place for the sake of the fifty just, if they be therein?” The Lord replied: “If I find in Sodom fifty just men within the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake.” And Abraham said: “Seeing I have once begun, I will speak again to my Lord, whereas I am but dust and ashes[4]. If there be five less than fifty just persons in the city, wilt Thou destroy it?” And the Lord said to Abraham: “I will not destroy it, if I find five and forty.” Abraham continued to plead in this manner, till at last the Lord said to him: “I will not destroy it for the sake of ten.” Then the Lord disappeared, and Abraham returned to his tent.
The ten just men were not found in Sodom, and the two angels were sent to destroy it. They reached Sodom in the evening, and found Lot sitting at the gate of the city. Lot invited them into his house, and the angels said to him: “Arise, get you out of this place, for the Lord will destroy it. Lot went that night to two young men who were to marry his daughters, and told them to arise and go forth, for the Lord would destroy the city. But they thought that he spoke in jest. At the first
- ↑ Went. A sign that he not only waited on the three strangers, but also accompanied them on their way.
- ↑ Lord. One of the three Angels bore the name of God in him, and is addressed as such by Abraham.
- ↑ Sin. Their sins were many; but those of unnatural impurity were the chief.
- ↑ Dust and ashes, i. e. though I, a sinful, mortal man, am not worthy to speak to the Lord my God.
