Bible Society of South Africa

Season after Pentecost: Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

Alternate first reading and Psalm

20Then the LORD said to Abraham, “There are terrible accusations against Sodom and Gomorrah, and their sin is very great. 21I must go down to find out whether or not the accusations which I have heard are true.”

22Then the two men left and went on towards Sodom, but the LORD remained with Abraham. 23Abraham approached the LORD and asked, “Are you really going to destroy the innocent with the guilty? 24If there are fifty innocent people in the city, will you destroy the whole city? Won't you spare it in order to save the fifty? 25Surely you won't kill the innocent with the guilty. That's impossible! You can't do that. If you did, the innocent would be punished along with the guilty. That is impossible. The judge of all the earth has to act justly.”

26The LORD answered, “If I find fifty innocent people in Sodom, I will spare the whole city for their sake.”

27Abraham spoke again: “Please forgive my boldness in continuing to speak to you, Lord. I am only a man and have no right to say anything. 28But perhaps there will be only 45 innocent people instead of fifty. Will you destroy the whole city because there are five too few?”

The LORD answered, “I will not destroy the city if I find 45 innocent people.”

29Abraham spoke again: “Perhaps there will be only forty.”

He replied, “I will not destroy it if there are forty.”

30Abraham said, “Please don't be angry, Lord, but I must speak again. What if there are only thirty?”

He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty.”

31Abraham said, “Please forgive my boldness in continuing to speak to you, Lord. Suppose that only twenty are found?”

He said, “I will not destroy the city if I find twenty.”

32Abraham said, “Please don't be angry, Lord, and I will speak just once more. What if only ten are found?”

He said, “I will not destroy it if there are ten.”

Genesis 18:20-32GNBOpen in Bible reader

A Prayer of Thanksgiving

1I thank you, LORD, with all my heart;

I sing praise to you before the gods.

2I face your holy Temple,

bow down, and praise your name

because of your constant love and faithfulness,

because you have shown that your name and your commands are supreme.

3You answered me when I called to you;

with your strength you strengthened me.

4All the kings in the world will praise you, LORD,

because they have heard your promises.

5They will sing about what you have done

and about your great glory.

6Even though you are so high above,

you care for the lowly,

and the proud cannot hide from you.

7When I am surrounded by troubles,

you keep me safe.

You oppose my angry enemies

and save me by your power.

8You will do everything you have promised;

LORD, your love is eternal.

Complete the work that you have begun.

Psalms 138:1-8GNBOpen in Bible reader
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