Genesis 18

Read on churchofjesuschrist.org (with footnotes)

1And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 1

And the Lord appeared unto Abraham in the plains of Mamre. And he sat in his tent door in the heat of the day;
IV v. 1 (Inspired Version, 1867)

2And 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,

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 2

And he lifted up his eyes and looked, and lo, three men stood by him; and when he saw, he ran to meet them from his tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground, and said,
IV v. 2 (Inspired Version, 1867)

3And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 3

My brethren, if now I have found favor in your sight, pass not away, I pray you, from thy servant.
IV v. 3 (Inspired Version, 1867)

4Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree:

5And 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.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 5

Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree; and I will fetch a morsel of bread and comfort ye your hearts; after that you shall pass on; for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do as thou hast said.
IV v. 4 (Inspired Version, 1867)

6And 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.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 6

And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead, and make cakes upon the hearth.
IV v. 5 (Inspired Version, 1867)

7And 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.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 7

And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetched a calf, tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it.
IV v. 6 (Inspired Version, 1867)

8And 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.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 8

And he took butter, and milk, and the calf, which he had dressed, and set them before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.
IV v. 7 (Inspired Version, 1867)

9And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent.

10And 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.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 10

And one of them blessed Abraham, and he said, I will certainly return unto thee from my journey; and lo, according to the time of life, Sarah, thy wife, shall have a son.
IV v. 9 (Inspired Version, 1867)

11Now Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in age; and it ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 11

And now Abraham and Sarah being old and stricken in age, therefore, it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women;
IV v. 11 (Inspired Version, 1867)

12Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 12

Therefore, Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I have waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?
IV v. 12 (Inspired Version, 1867)

13And the LORD said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 13

And the angel of the Lord said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? Is anything too hard for the Lord?
IV v. 13 (Inspired Version, 1867)

14Is 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.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 14

At the time appointed, behold, I will return unto thee from my journey, which the Lord hath sent me; and according to the time of life thou mayest know that Sarah shall have a son.
IV v. 14 (Inspired Version, 1867)

15Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.

16And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 16

And the angels rose up from thence and looked toward Sodom; and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.
IV v. 16 (Inspired Version, 1867)

17And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;

18Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 18

And the angel of the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which the Lord will do for him—seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?
IV v. 17 (Inspired Version, 1867)

19For 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.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 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 has spoken of him.
IV v. 18 (Inspired Version, 1867)

20And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 20

And the angel of the Lord said unto Abraham, The Lord said unto us, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great and because their sin is very grievous, I will destroy them.
IV v. 19 (Inspired Version, 1867)

21I 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.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 21

And ye shall have all things done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me.
IV v. 21 (Inspired Version, 1867)

22And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 22

And the angels, which were holy men and were sent forth after the order of God, turned their faces from thence and went toward Sodom.
IV v. 23 (Inspired Version, 1867)

23And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 23

And Abraham drew near to Sodom and said unto the Lord, calling upon his name, saying, Wilt thou destroy the righteous with the wicked? Wilt thou not spare them?
IV v. 25 (Inspired Version, 1867)

24Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 24

Peradventure there may be fifty righteous within the city, wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that may be therein?
IV v. 26 (Inspired Version, 1867)

25That 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?

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 25

Oh, may 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.
IV v. 27 (Inspired Version, 1867)

26And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 26

And the Lord said unto Abraham, If thou findest in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.
IV v. 29 (Inspired Version, 1867)

27And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 27

And Abraham answered and said, Behold, now I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which is able to destroy the city and lay all the people in dust and ashes.
IV v. 30 (Inspired Version, 1867)

28Peradventure 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.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 28

Will the Lord spare them peradventure there lack five of the fifty righteous? Wilt thou destroy all the city for their wickedness if I find there forty and five righteous?
IV v. 31 (Inspired Version, 1867)

29And 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.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 29

And he spake unto him again and said, Peradventure there should be forty found there?
IV v. 33 (Inspired Version, 1867)

30And 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.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 30

And he said again unto the Lord, Oh, let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there?
IV v. 35 (Inspired Version, 1867)

31And 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.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 31

And he said, Behold, now I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord. Wilt thou destroy them if peradventure there shall twenty be found there?
IV v. 37 (Inspired Version, 1867)

32And 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.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 32

And Abraham said unto the Lord, Oh, let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once. Peradventure ten shall be found there?
IV v. 39 (Inspired Version, 1867)

33And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.

JSTJoseph Smith Translation of v. 33

And as soon as he had left communing with the Lord, Abraham went his way.
IV v. 41 (Inspired Version, 1867)

Also cited in commentary

2 Nephi 19 — Isaiah 9 — The People That Walked in Darkness, the Child Born, the Four Throne-Names
- The child born and the four throne-names
2 Nephi 32 — Feast Upon the Words of Christ — Angels, the Holy Ghost, and the Doctrine of Pray Always
- Where this lands
Alma 8 — The Angel Returns — Alma Cast Out of Ammonihah and Sent Back with a Second Witness
- The chapter's architecture
- The meeting with Amulek and the house blessing
Alma 10 — By the Prayers of the Righteous — Amulek's Testimony, the Manasseh Genealogy, and the Lawyer Class Introduced
Alma 62 — Hardened or Softened — The End of the War and the Death of Teancum
- How the chapter is built
Ether 1 — From the Great Tower — Moroni Opens the Jaredite Record, and a Brother's Prayer Against the Confounding
- How the chapter is built
Helaman 11 — Rather Let There Be a Famine — The Prophet Who Stood Between
- How the chapter is built
- The wheel turns again, faster
Helaman 12 — Less Than the Dust — Mormon's Meditation on the Nothingness of Man
- How the chapter is built
- That men might be saved: the turn to mercy
Helaman 13 — The Lamanite on the Wall — Samuel and the Curse of Slippery Riches
- How the chapter is built
Jacob 5 — The Allegory of the Olive Tree — Zenos on the Lord's Vineyard, the Wild Branches, and the Final Harvest
- The fourth visit — the great and last grafting
- Where this lands
Jarom 1 — Jarom — A Short Book on Purpose: Keeping the Law of Moses While Looking Forward to Christ, and the Prophets Who Kept a Hard People Alive
- A hard people, kept alive
- Where this lands
Mormon 9 — A God of Miracles — Moroni to the Unbeliever, and the Unchanging Christ
- How the chapter is built
Mosiah 2 — Benjamin's Tower Sermon — The Humble King, Service as Worship, the Unprofitable Servant, and the Wo of the Open Rebel
- God the great creditor
- Where this lands
Mosiah 4 — Fallen as Dead — The Cry for Mercy, Retaining a Remission, Are We Not All Beggars, and Watch Yourselves
- Where this lands
Mosiah 29 — The Reign of the Judges Established — Mosiah's Epistle on the Voice of the People, the Danger of the Unrighteous King, How Much Iniquity One Wicked King Causes, and Alma the Younger Chosen Chief Judge
- Where this lands
Omni 1 — Omni — Five Voices on a Closing Plate, Mosiah's Flight to Zarahemla, the Mulekites Found, and the Stone of Coriantumr
- Amaron's report of a destruction
- Where this lands
1 Kings 13 — The Word Against the Altar — Josiah Named Three Centuries Early, the Withered Hand, the Old Prophet's Lie, and the Lion That Would Not Eat
- The old prophet's lie
2 Chronicles 19 — Good Things Found in Thee — The Rebuke That Names the Good, and the King Who Turned Correction into Reform
- How this chapter changes the reader
- Ye judge not for man, but for the LORD
2 Kings 4 — Borrow Not a Few — The Oil That Stopped at the Last Vessel, the Great Woman of Shunem, Death in the Pot, and the Bread That Was Left Over
- A chamber on the wall
- How this chapter changes the reader
2 Kings 23 — The Book That Remade a King — Josiah's Covenant at the Pillar, the Fire Through Every High Place, the Passover No Generation Had Seen, and the Chariot That Came Home from Megiddo
- How this chapter changes the reader
- Notwithstanding: the wrath that did not turn
Esther 8 — The Word That May No Man Reverse — Haman's House, the Signet on Mordecai's Hand, and a Second Decree Answering the First
- Esther at the king's feet
Job 23 — When He Hath Tried Me — The Hidden God, the Day in Court That Never Comes, and the Refiner's Gold
- How this chapter changes the reader
- The court I cannot find
Job 40 — Behold, I Am Vile — Job Lays His Hand Upon His Mouth, and the LORD Unveils Behemoth
- How this chapter changes the reader
- The defendant in the dock
Psalms 25 — Shew Me Thy Ways — An Alphabet of Trust, the Prayer to Be Taught, and the Secret of the LORD
- How this chapter changes the reader
- The secret of the LORD — the covenant intimacy

Cross-references are extracted from the project’s chapter essays — every link below points back into the original prose.

Public-domain text. The modern LDS edition with footnotes and chapter summaries is available on churchofjesuschrist.org ↗.

Study

Joseph Smith Translation

v. 1
And the Lord appeared unto Abraham in the plains of Mamre. And he sat in his tent door in the heat of the day;
v. 2
And he lifted up his eyes and looked, and lo, three men stood by him; and when he saw, he ran to meet them from his tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground, and said,
v. 3
My brethren, if now I have found favor in your sight, pass not away, I pray you, from thy servant.
v. 5
Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree; and I will fetch a morsel of bread and comfort ye your hearts; after that you shall pass on; for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do as thou hast said.
v. 6
And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead, and make cakes upon the hearth.
v. 7
And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetched a calf, tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it.
v. 8
And he took butter, and milk, and the calf, which he had dressed, and set them before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.
v. 10
And one of them blessed Abraham, and he said, I will certainly return unto thee from my journey; and lo, according to the time of life, Sarah, thy wife, shall have a son.
v. 11
And now Abraham and Sarah being old and stricken in age, therefore, it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women;
v. 12
Therefore, Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I have waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?
v. 13
And the angel of the Lord said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old? Is anything too hard for the Lord?
v. 14
At the time appointed, behold, I will return unto thee from my journey, which the Lord hath sent me; and according to the time of life thou mayest know that Sarah shall have a son.
v. 16
And the angels rose up from thence and looked toward Sodom; and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.
v. 18
And the angel of the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which the Lord will do for him—seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?
v. 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 has spoken of him.
v. 20
And the angel of the Lord said unto Abraham, The Lord said unto us, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great and because their sin is very grievous, I will destroy them.
v. 21
And ye shall have all things done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me.
v. 22
And the angels, which were holy men and were sent forth after the order of God, turned their faces from thence and went toward Sodom.
v. 23
And Abraham drew near to Sodom and said unto the Lord, calling upon his name, saying, Wilt thou destroy the righteous with the wicked? Wilt thou not spare them?
v. 24
Peradventure there may be fifty righteous within the city, wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that may be therein?
v. 25
Oh, may 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.
v. 26
And the Lord said unto Abraham, If thou findest in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.
v. 27
And Abraham answered and said, Behold, now I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which is able to destroy the city and lay all the people in dust and ashes.
v. 28
Will the Lord spare them peradventure there lack five of the fifty righteous? Wilt thou destroy all the city for their wickedness if I find there forty and five righteous?
v. 29
And he spake unto him again and said, Peradventure there should be forty found there?
v. 30
And he said again unto the Lord, Oh, let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there?
v. 31
And he said, Behold, now I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord. Wilt thou destroy them if peradventure there shall twenty be found there?
v. 32
And Abraham said unto the Lord, Oh, let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once. Peradventure ten shall be found there?
v. 33
And as soon as he had left communing with the Lord, Abraham went his way.
insertion after v. 10
And Sarah heard him in the tent door.
insertion after v. 20
And I will send you, and ye shall go down now and see that their iniquities are rewarded unto them.
insertion after v. 21
And if ye do it not, it shall be upon your heads; for I will destroy them, and you shall know that I will do it, for it shall be before your eyes.
insertion after v. 22
But Abraham stood yet before the Lord, remembering the things which had been told him.
insertion after v. 25
O God, may that be far from thee. For shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?
insertion after v. 28
And he said, I will not destroy, but spare them.
insertion after v. 29
And he said, I will not destroy it for forty's sake.
insertion after v. 30
And he said, I will not destroy them if thou shalt find thirty there.
insertion after v. 31
And he said, I will not destroy them for twenty's sake.
insertion after v. 32
And the Lord said, I will not destroy them for ten's sake. And the Lord ceased speaking with Abraham.
insertion after v. 33
And it came to pass that Abraham returned unto his tent.