Genesis 18

Visitors at Mamre

1The LORD appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre while he sat at his tent's entrance in the heat of the day. 2He looked up and saw three men standing nearby. As soon as he saw them, he ran from the tent's entrance to meet them and bowed to the ground.

3He said, “My Lord, if I have found favor with you, please do not pass your servant by. 4Let some water be brought so you can wash your feet and rest under the tree. 5Let me bring a little bread to restore your strength. Then you can go on your way, now that you have come to your servant.” They answered, “Do as you have said.”

6Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “knead three seahs of fine flour and make cakes.”

7Then Abraham ran to the herd, chose a tender, good calf, and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it.

8He took curds, milk, and the calf that had been prepared and set the food before them. While they ate, he stood beside them under the tree.

Sarah Hears the Promise

9They asked him, “Where is your wife Sarah?” “There, in the tent,” he answered.

10Then one said, “I will certainly return to you at this time next year, and your wife Sarah will have a son.” Sarah was listening at the tent's entrance behind him.

11Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years, and Sarah had stopped having menstrual periods.

12Sarah laughed to herself. “After I have worn out, am I to have pleasure?” she thought. “And my lord is old too.”

13The LORD asked Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really bear a child now that I am old?’ 14Is anything too extraordinary for the LORD? At the appointed time, this time next year, I will return to you, and Sarah will have a son.”

15Sarah denied it: “I did not laugh.” She was afraid. But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.”