Genesis 18:1–15

Abraham’s Three Visitors

18 Then the Lord appeared to Abraham at the oaks of Mamre d while he was sitting in the entrance of his tent during the heat of the day. 2 He looked up, and he saw three men standing near him. e When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to meet them and bowed to the ground. 3 Then he said, “My lord, f if I have found favor in your sight, please do not go on past your servant. 4 Let a little water be brought, that you may wash your feet and rest yourselves under the tree. 5 I will bring a bit of bread so that you may strengthen yourselves. g This is why you have passed your servant’s way. Later, you can continue on.”

“Yes,” they replied, “do as you have said.”

6 So Abraham hurried into the tent and said to Sarah, “Quick! Knead three measures h of fine flour and make bread.” i 7 Meanwhile, Abraham ran to the herd and got a tender, choice calf. He gave it to a young man, who hurried to prepare it. 8 Then Abraham took curds j and milk, and the calf that he had prepared, and set them before the men. He served k them as they ate under the tree.

Sarah Laughs

9 “Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him.

“There, in the tent,” he answered.

10 The Lord said, “I will certainly come back to you in about a year’s time, and your wife Sarah will have a son!” l Now Sarah was listening at the entrance of the tent behind him.

11 Abraham and Sarah were old and getting on in years. m Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. n o 12 So she laughed to herself: “After I have become shriveled up and my lord is old, will I have delight?” p

13 But the Lord asked Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Can I really have a baby when I’m old?’ 14 Is anything impossible for the Lord? q At the appointed time I will come back to you, and in about a year she will have a son.”

15 Sarah denied it. “I did not laugh,” she said, because she was afraid.

But He replied, “No, you did laugh.”