Chapter 18

1Hashem appeared to him by the terebinths of Mamre; he was sitting at the entrance of the tent as the day grew hot.

va-yay-RA ay-LAV a-do-NAI b'-ay-lo-NAY mam-RAY v'-HU yo-SHAYV pe-takh ha-O-hel k'-KHOM ha-YOM

אוַיֵּרָ֤א אֵלָיו֙ יְהֹוָ֔ה בְּאֵלֹנֵ֖י מַמְרֵ֑א וְה֛וּא יֹשֵׁ֥ב פֶּֽתַח־הָאֹ֖הֶל כְּחֹ֥ם הַיּֽוֹם׃

2Looking up, he saw three men standing near him. As soon as he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them and, bowing to the ground,

vai-YA-sa AY-na-YAV vai-YAR v'-hi-NEH sh'-LO-sha a-na-SHEEM ni-tza-VEEM a-LAV vai-YAR vai-YAR-tz lik-ra-TAM mi-pe-TAKH ha-o-HEL vai-YIS-ta-KHU a-RETZ

בוַיִּשָּׂ֤א עֵינָיו֙ וַיַּ֔רְא וְהִנֵּה֙ שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה אֲנָשִׁ֔ים נִצָּבִ֖ים עָלָ֑יו וַיַּ֗רְא וַיָּ֤רׇץ לִקְרָאתָם֙ מִפֶּ֣תַח הָאֹ֔הֶל וַיִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ אָֽרְצָה׃

3he said, “My lords, if it please you, do not go on past your servant.

vai-YO-mer a-do-NAI, im-NA ma-TZA-tee KHEYN b'-ay-NE-kha, al-NA ta-a-VOR may-AL av-DE-kha

גוַיֹּאמַ֑ר אֲדֹנָ֗י אִם־נָ֨א מָצָ֤אתִי חֵן֙ בְּעֵינֶ֔יךָ אַל־נָ֥א תַעֲבֹ֖ר מֵעַ֥ל עַבְדֶּֽךָ׃

4Let a little water be brought; bathe your feet and recline under the tree.

yu-KAKH-na m'-AT-ma-YIM v'-ra-cha-TZU rag-LEI-khem v'-hi-sha-A-nu TA-khat ha-Etz

דיֻקַּֽח־נָ֣א מְעַט־מַ֔יִם וְרַחֲצ֖וּ רַגְלֵיכֶ֑ם וְהִֽשָּׁעֲנ֖וּ תַּ֥חַת הָעֵֽץ׃

5And let me fetch a morsel of bread that you may refresh yourselves; then go on—seeing that you have come your servant's way.” They replied, “Do as you have said.”

v'-ek-KHA pat-LE-khem v'-sa-a-DU li-b'-KHEM a-KHAR ta-a-vo-RU, ki-al-KHEN a-va-TEM al-a-av-de-KHEM, va-YO-mer-U, KEIN ta-a-SEH ka-a-SHER di-BAR-ta.

הוְאֶקְחָ֨ה פַת־לֶ֜חֶם וְסַעֲד֤וּ לִבְּכֶם֙ אַחַ֣ר תַּעֲבֹ֔רוּ כִּֽי־עַל־כֵּ֥ן עֲבַרְתֶּ֖ם עַֽל־עַבְדְּכֶ֑ם וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ כֵּ֥ן תַּעֲשֶׂ֖ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבַּֽרְתָּ׃

6Avraham hastened into the tent to Sara, and said, “Quick, three se'eem of choice flour! Knead and make cakes!”

vai-ma-HEIR av-ra-HAM ha-o-HE-lah el sa-RA va-YO-mer ma-ha-REE sh'-LOSH s'-EEM ke-MACH so-LET lu-SHE va-a-SEE u-GOT

ווַיְמַהֵ֧ר אַבְרָהָ֛ם הָאֹ֖הֱלָה אֶל־שָׂרָ֑ה וַיֹּ֗אמֶר מַהֲרִ֞י שְׁלֹ֤שׁ סְאִים֙ קֶ֣מַח סֹ֔לֶת ל֖וּשִׁי וַעֲשִׂ֥י עֻגֽוֹת׃

7Then Avraham ran to the herd, took a calf, tender and choice, and gave it to a servant-boy, who hastened to prepare it.

v'-el ha-ba-KAR RATZ av-ra-HAM va-yi-KAKH ben-ba-KAR RAKH va-TOV va-yi-TEYN el ha-NA-ar va-ye-ma-HER la-a-SOT o-TO

זוְאֶל־הַבָּקָ֖ר רָ֣ץ אַבְרָהָ֑ם וַיִּקַּ֨ח בֶּן־בָּקָ֜ר רַ֤ךְ וָטוֹב֙ וַיִּתֵּ֣ן אֶל־הַנַּ֔עַר וַיְמַהֵ֖ר לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת אֹתֽוֹ׃

8He took curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared and set these before them; and he waited on them under the tree as they ate.

vai-YI-kakh khem-AH v'-kha-LAV u-ven ha-ba-KAR a-SHER a-SA vai-YI-ten lif-NE-hem v'-hu-o-MED a-LE-hem TA-khat ha-AYTZ vai-YO-khe-LU

חוַיִּקַּ֨ח חֶמְאָ֜ה וְחָלָ֗ב וּבֶן־הַבָּקָר֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֔ה וַיִּתֵּ֖ן לִפְנֵיהֶ֑ם וְהֽוּא־עֹמֵ֧ד עֲלֵיהֶ֛ם תַּ֥חַת הָעֵ֖ץ וַיֹּאכֵֽלוּ׃

9They said to him, “Where is your wife Sara?” And he replied, “There, in the tent.”

va-yo-M'ru e-LA-yo, a-YEH sa-RAH ish-TE-kha, va-yo-MER hi-NEH ba-O-HEL

טוַיֹּאמְר֣וּ אֵׄלָ֔יׄוׄ אַיֵּ֖ה שָׂרָ֣ה אִשְׁתֶּ֑ךָ וַיֹּ֖אמֶר הִנֵּ֥ה בָאֹֽהֶל׃

10Then one said, “I will return to you next year, and your wife Sara shall have a son!” Sara was listening at the entrance of the tent, which was behind him.

vai-YO-mer, shoV a-SHUV e-LE-kha ka-ET ha-YAH, v'-hi-NEH VEN le-SARAH ish-TE-kha, v'-SA-rah sho-MA-at PE-takh ha-O-Hel, v'-HU a-kha-RAV

יוַיֹּ֗אמֶר שׁ֣וֹב אָשׁ֤וּב אֵלֶ֙יךָ֙ כָּעֵ֣ת חַיָּ֔ה וְהִנֵּה־בֵ֖ן לְשָׂרָ֣ה אִשְׁתֶּ֑ךָ וְשָׂרָ֥ה שֹׁמַ֛עַת פֶּ֥תַח הָאֹ֖הֶל וְה֥וּא אַחֲרָֽיו׃

11Now Avraham and Sara were old, advanced in years; Sara had stopped having the periods of women.

v'-av-ra-HAM v'-sa-RAH z'-kay-NEEM ba-EEM ba-ya-MEEM cha-DAL lih-YOT l'-sa-RAH o-RACH ka-na-SHEEM

יאוְאַבְרָהָ֤ם וְשָׂרָה֙ זְקֵנִ֔ים בָּאִ֖ים בַּיָּמִ֑ים חָדַל֙ לִהְי֣וֹת לְשָׂרָ֔ה אֹ֖רַח כַּנָּשִֽׁים׃

12And Sara laughed to herself, saying, “Now that I am withered, am I to have enjoyment—with my husband so old?”

va-titz-KHAK sa-RAH b'-kir-BAH lay-MOR: a-kha-RAY v'-lo-TEE ha-y'-ta-LI ed-NAH, va-a-do-NEE za-KEN

יבוַתִּצְחַ֥ק שָׂרָ֖ה בְּקִרְבָּ֣הּ לֵאמֹ֑ר אַחֲרֵ֤י בְלֹתִי֙ הָֽיְתָה־לִּ֣י עֶדְנָ֔ה וַֽאדֹנִ֖י זָקֵֽן׃

13Then Hashem said to Avraham, “Why did Sara laugh, saying, ‘Shall I in truth bear a child, old as I am?'

vai-YO-mer a-do-NAI el a-v'ra-HAM, la-MAH ZEH tza-KHA-ka sa-RAH lay-MOR: ha-AF um-NAM e-LED va-a-NEE za-KAN-tee

יגוַיֹּ֥אמֶר יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶל־אַבְרָהָ֑ם לָ֣מָּה זֶּה֩ צָחֲקָ֨ה שָׂרָ֜ה לֵאמֹ֗ר הַאַ֥ף אֻמְנָ֛ם אֵלֵ֖ד וַאֲנִ֥י זָקַֽנְתִּי׃

14Is anything too wondrous for Hashem? I will return to you at the same season next year, and Sara shall have a son.”

ha-yi-pa-LEI me-a-do-NAI da-VAR la-mo-ED a-SHUV e-LE-kha ka-EYT kha-YA u-l'-sa-RA ben

ידהֲיִפָּלֵ֥א מֵיְהֹוָ֖ה דָּבָ֑ר לַמּוֹעֵ֞ד אָשׁ֥וּב אֵלֶ֛יךָ כָּעֵ֥ת חַיָּ֖ה וּלְשָׂרָ֥ה בֵֽן׃

15Sara lied, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was frightened. But He replied, “You did laugh.”

va-t'-kha-KHAYSH sa-RAH lay-MOR: lo tza-KHAK-tee KEE ya-RAY-a, va-YO-mer: lo KEE tza-KHA-k't

טווַתְּכַחֵ֨שׁ שָׂרָ֧ה ׀ לֵאמֹ֛ר לֹ֥א צָחַ֖קְתִּי כִּ֣י ׀ יָרֵ֑אָה וַיֹּ֥אמֶר ׀ לֹ֖א כִּ֥י צָחָֽקְתְּ׃

16The men set out from there and looked down toward Sodom, Avraham walking with them to see them off.

vai-YA-koo-MU mi-SHAM ha-a-na-SHEEM va-yash-KI-fu al p'-NAY s'-DOM v'-av-ra-HAM ho-LEKH i-MAHM l'-sha-l'-KHAM

טזוַיָּקֻ֤מוּ מִשָּׁם֙ הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֔ים וַיַּשְׁקִ֖פוּ עַל־פְּנֵ֣י סְדֹ֑ם וְאַ֨בְרָהָ֔ם הֹלֵ֥ךְ עִמָּ֖ם לְשַׁלְּחָֽם׃

17Now Hashem had said, “Shall I hide from Avraham what I am about to do,

va-a-do-NAI a-MAR ha-m'-ka-SEH a-NEE me-a-v'ra-HAM a-SHER a-NEE o-SEH

יזוַֽיהֹוָ֖ה אָמָ֑ר הַֽמְכַסֶּ֤ה אֲנִי֙ מֵֽאַבְרָהָ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֖ר אֲנִ֥י עֹשֶֽׂה׃

18since Avraham is to become a great and populous nation and all the nations of the earth are to bless themselves by him?

v'-a-v'ra-HAM ha-YO y'-HE-yeh l'-GOY ga-DOL v'-a-TZUM v'-ni-v'-ru-KHU-BO kol go-YAY ha-A-retz

יחוְאַ֨בְרָהָ֔ם הָי֧וֹ יִֽהְיֶ֛ה לְג֥וֹי גָּד֖וֹל וְעָצ֑וּם וְנִ֨בְרְכוּ־ב֔וֹ כֹּ֖ל גּוֹיֵ֥י הָאָֽרֶץ׃

19For I have singled him out, that he may instruct his children and his posterity to keep the way of Hashem by doing what is just and right, in order that Hashem may bring about for Avraham what He has promised him.”

KI y'-da-TI-o l'-ma-AN a-SHER y'-tza-VEH et ba-NAV v'-et b'-TO a-cha-RAV v'-sha-M'-RU d'-REKH a-do-NAI la-a-SOT t'-za-da-KAH u-mish-PAHT l'-ma-AN ha-VEE a-do-NAI al a-v'ra-HAM et a-SHER di-BER a-LAV

יטכִּ֣י יְדַעְתִּ֗יו לְמַ֩עַן֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר יְצַוֶּ֜ה אֶת־בָּנָ֤יו וְאֶת־בֵּיתוֹ֙ אַחֲרָ֔יו וְשָֽׁמְרוּ֙ דֶּ֣רֶךְ יְהֹוָ֔ה לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת צְדָקָ֖ה וּמִשְׁפָּ֑ט לְמַ֗עַן הָבִ֤יא יְהֹוָה֙ עַל־אַבְרָהָ֔ם אֵ֥ת אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּ֖ר עָלָֽיו׃

20Then Hashem said, “The outrage of Sodom and Gomorrah is so great, and their sin so grave!

va-YO-mer a-do-NAI za-a-KAT s'-DOM va-a-MO-RAH, kee-ra-BAH, v'-kha-ta-TAM, kee kav-DAH me-OD

כוַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהֹוָ֔ה זַעֲקַ֛ת סְדֹ֥ם וַעֲמֹרָ֖ה כִּי־רָ֑בָּה וְחַ֨טָּאתָ֔ם כִּ֥י כָבְדָ֖ה מְאֹֽד׃

21I will go down to see whether they have acted altogether according to the outcry that has reached Me; if not, I will take note.”

e-r'-DA-na v'-er-EH ha-k'-tza-a-ka-TAH ha-ba-AH e-LAI a-SU k'-LAH v'-im-lo e-da-AH

כאאֵֽרְדָה־נָּ֣א וְאֶרְאֶ֔ה הַכְּצַעֲקָתָ֛הּ הַבָּ֥אָה אֵלַ֖י עָשׂ֣וּ ׀ כָּלָ֑ה וְאִם־לֹ֖א אֵדָֽעָה׃

22The men went on from there to Sodom, while Avraham remained standing before Hashem.

vai-YIF-nu mi-SHAM ha-a-na-SHEEM va-yel-KHU s'-DO-ma v'-av-ra-HAM o-DE-nu o-MED lif-NEI a-do-NAI

כבוַיִּפְנ֤וּ מִשָּׁם֙ הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֔ים וַיֵּלְכ֖וּ סְדֹ֑מָה וְאַ֨בְרָהָ֔ם עוֹדֶ֥נּוּ עֹמֵ֖ד לִפְנֵ֥י יְהֹוָֽה׃

23Avraham came forward and said, “Will You sweep away the innocent along with the guilty?

vai-YI-gash av-ra-HAM vai-YO-mer ha-AF tis-PEH tza-DEEK im ra-SHA

כגוַיִּגַּ֥שׁ אַבְרָהָ֖ם וַיֹּאמַ֑ר הַאַ֣ף תִּסְפֶּ֔ה צַדִּ֖יק עִם־רָשָֽׁע׃

24What if there should be fifty innocent within the city; will You then wipe out the place and not forgive it for the sake of the innocent fifty who are in it?

u-LAI YAYSH cha-mee-SHEEM tza-DEE-KEEM b'-TOCH ha-EER, ha-AF tis-PEH v'-LO tis-SA la-ma-KOM, l'-ma-AN cha-mee-SHEEM ha-tza-DEE-KEEM a-SHER b'-kir-BAH

כדאוּלַ֥י יֵ֛שׁ חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים צַדִּיקִ֖ם בְּת֣וֹךְ הָעִ֑יר הַאַ֤ף תִּסְפֶּה֙ וְלֹא־תִשָּׂ֣א לַמָּק֔וֹם לְמַ֛עַן חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים הַצַּדִּיקִ֖ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר בְּקִרְבָּֽהּ׃

25Far be it from You to do such a thing, to bring death upon the innocent as well as the guilty, so that innocent and guilty fare alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?”

kha-LEE-lah l'-KHA may-a-SOT ka-da-VAR ha-ZEH l'-ha-MEET tzad-DEEK im ra-SHA v'-ha-YAH ka-tzad-DEEK ka-ra-SHA kha-LEE-lah l'-KHA ha-SHO-fet kol ha-A-retz lo ya-a-SEH mish-PAT

כהחָלִ֨לָה לְּךָ֜ מֵעֲשֹׂ֣ת ׀ כַּדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֗ה לְהָמִ֤ית צַדִּיק֙ עִם־רָשָׁ֔ע וְהָיָ֥ה כַצַּדִּ֖יק כָּרָשָׁ֑ע חָלִ֣לָה לָּ֔ךְ הֲשֹׁפֵט֙ כׇּל־הָאָ֔רֶץ לֹ֥א יַעֲשֶׂ֖ה מִשְׁפָּֽט׃

26And Hashem answered, “If I find within the city of Sodom fifty innocent ones, I will forgive the whole place for their sake.”

va-YO-mer a-do-NAI, im-em-TZA vi-SODOM kha-MEE-shim tza-DEE-kim b'-TOCH ha-IYR, v'-na-sa-TEE l'-KOL ha-ma-KOM ba-a-vu-RAM

כווַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהֹוָ֔ה אִם־אֶמְצָ֥א בִסְדֹ֛ם חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים צַדִּיקִ֖ם בְּת֣וֹךְ הָעִ֑יר וְנָשָׂ֥אתִי לְכׇל־הַמָּק֖וֹם בַּעֲבוּרָֽם׃

27Avraham spoke up, saying, “Here I venture to speak to my Lord, I who am but dust and ashes:

vai-YA-an av-ra-HAM va-YO-mer, hi-NEH-NA ho-a-LE-tee l'-da-BAYR el a-do-NAI, v'-a-NO-khee a-FAR va-E-fer

כזוַיַּ֥עַן אַבְרָהָ֖ם וַיֹּאמַ֑ר הִנֵּה־נָ֤א הוֹאַ֙לְתִּי֙ לְדַבֵּ֣ר אֶל־אֲדֹנָ֔י וְאָנֹכִ֖י עָפָ֥ר וָאֵֽפֶר׃

28What if the fifty innocent should lack five? Will You destroy the whole city for want of the five?” And He answered, “I will not destroy if I find forty-five there.”

u-la-yi yakh-s'-RUN kha-mi-SHAM ha-tza-DEE-KEEM kha-mi-SHA ha-tash-KHEET ba-kha-mi-SHA et-KOL ha-A-eer va-YO-mer lo ash-KHEET im-em-TZA sham ar-ba-EEM va-kha-mi-SHA

כחא֠וּלַ֠י יַחְסְר֞וּן חֲמִשִּׁ֤ים הַצַּדִּיקִם֙ חֲמִשָּׁ֔ה הֲתַשְׁחִ֥ית בַּחֲמִשָּׁ֖ה אֶת־כׇּל־הָעִ֑יר וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לֹ֣א אַשְׁחִ֔ית אִם־אֶמְצָ֣א שָׁ֔ם אַרְבָּעִ֖ים וַחֲמִשָּֽׁה׃

29But he spoke to Him again, and said, “What if forty should be found there?” And He answered, “I will not do it, for the sake of the forty.”

vai-YO-sef OD l'-da-BAYR ay-LAV vai-YO-mer u-LAI yi-ma-TZE-un SHAM ar-ba-EEM vai-YO-mer lo e-a-SEH ba-a-VUR ha-ar-ba-EEM

כטוַיֹּ֨סֶף ע֜וֹד לְדַבֵּ֤ר אֵלָיו֙ וַיֹּאמַ֔ר אוּלַ֛י יִמָּצְא֥וּן שָׁ֖ם אַרְבָּעִ֑ים וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לֹ֣א אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֔ה בַּעֲב֖וּר הָאַרְבָּעִֽים׃

30And he said, “Let not my Lord be angry if I go on: What if thirty should be found there?” And He answered, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.”

vai-YO-mer al-NA yi-KHAR la-a-do-NAI va-a-da-BE-ra, u-LAI yi-ma-TZE-un SHAM sh'-LO-sheem, vai-YO-mer lo e-a-SEH im-em-TZA SHAM sh'-LO-sheem

לוַ֠יֹּ֠אמֶר אַל־נָ֞א יִ֤חַר לַֽאדֹנָי֙ וַאֲדַבֵּ֔רָה אוּלַ֛י יִמָּצְא֥וּן שָׁ֖ם שְׁלֹשִׁ֑ים וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לֹ֣א אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֔ה אִם־אֶמְצָ֥א שָׁ֖ם שְׁלֹשִֽׁים׃

31And he said, “I venture again to speak to my Lord: What if twenty should be found there?” And He answered, “I will not destroy, for the sake of the twenty.”

vai-YO-mer, hi-NEH-NA ho-a-LE-tee l'-da-BAYR el a-do-NAI, u-LAI yi-ma-TZE-un SHAM e-s'-REEM, vai-YO-mer, lo ash-KHEET ba-a-VUR ha-e-s'-REEM

לאוַיֹּ֗אמֶר הִנֵּֽה־נָ֤א הוֹאַ֙לְתִּי֙ לְדַבֵּ֣ר אֶל־אֲדֹנָ֔י אוּלַ֛י יִמָּצְא֥וּן שָׁ֖ם עֶשְׂרִ֑ים וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לֹ֣א אַשְׁחִ֔ית בַּעֲב֖וּר הָֽעֶשְׂרִֽים׃

32And he said, “Let not my Lord be angry if I speak but this last time: What if ten should be found there?” And He answered, “I will not destroy, for the sake of the ten.”

vai-YO-mer al-NA yi-KHAR la-a-do-NAI va-a-da-b'-RAH akh ha-PA-am u-LAI yi-ma-TZE-un sham a-SA-ra, vai-YO-mer lo ash-KHEET ba-a-VUR ha-a-SA-ra

לבוַ֠יֹּ֠אמֶר אַל־נָ֞א יִ֤חַר לַֽאדֹנָי֙ וַאֲדַבְּרָ֣ה אַךְ־הַפַּ֔עַם אוּלַ֛י יִמָּצְא֥וּן שָׁ֖ם עֲשָׂרָ֑ה וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לֹ֣א אַשְׁחִ֔ית בַּעֲב֖וּר הָעֲשָׂרָֽה׃

33When Hashem had finished speaking to Avraham, He departed; and Avraham returned to his place.

va-YAY-lekh a-do-NAI ka-a-SHER ki-LAH l'-da-BAYR el av-ra-HAM, v'-av-ra-HAM SHAHV lim-KO-mo

לגוַיֵּ֣לֶךְ יְהֹוָ֔ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר כִּלָּ֔ה לְדַבֵּ֖ר אֶל־אַבְרָהָ֑ם וְאַבְרָהָ֖ם שָׁ֥ב לִמְקֹמֽוֹ׃