much displeased at them, and determined to punish them for their
pride, and to overthrow their city, and to lay waste their
country, until there should neither plant nor fruit grow out of
it.

2. When God had thus resolved concerning the Sodomites, Abraham,
as he sat by the oak of Mambre, at the door of his tent, saw
three angels; and thinking them to be strangers, he rose up, and
saluted them, and desired they would accept of an entertainment,
and abide with him; to which, when they agreed, he ordered cakes
of meal to be made presently; and when he had slain a calf, he
roasted it, and brought it to them, as they sat under the oak.
Now they made a show of eating; and besides, they asked him about
his wife Sarah, where she was; and when he said she was within,
they said they would come again hereafter, and find her become a
mother. Upon which the woman laughed, and said that it was
impossible she should bear children, since she was ninety years
of age, and her husband was a hundred. Then they concealed
themselves no longer, but declared that they were angels of God;
and that one of them was sent to inform them about the child, and
two of the overthrow of Sodom.

3. When Abraham heard this, he was grieved for the Sodomites; and
he rose up, and besought God for them, and entreated him that he
would not destroy the righteous with the wicked. And when God had
replied that there was no good man among the Sodomites; for if
there were but ten such man among them, he would not punish any
of them for their sins, Abraham held his peace. And the angels
came to the city of the Sodomites, and Lot entreated them to
accept of a lodging with him; for he was a very generous and