Three Special Visitors

18:1 The Lord appeared to Abraham1 by the oaks2 of Mamre while3 he was sitting at the entrance4 to his tent during the hottest time of the day. 18:2 Abraham5 looked up6 and saw7 three men standing across8 from him. When he saw them9 he ran from the entrance of the tent to meet them and bowed low10 to the ground.11

18:3 He said, “My lord,12 if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by and leave your servant.13 18:4 Let a little water be brought so that14 you may all15 wash your feet and rest under the tree. 18:5 And let me get16 a bit of food17 so that you may refresh yourselves18 since you have passed by your servant’s home. After that you may be on your way.”19 “All right,” they replied, “you may do as you say.”

18:6 So Abraham hurried into the tent and said to Sarah, “Quick! Take20 three measures21 of fine flour, knead it, and make bread.”22 18:7 Then Abraham ran to the herd and chose a fine, tender calf, and gave it to a servant,23 who quickly prepared it.24 18:8 Abraham25 then took some curds and milk, along with the calf that had been prepared, and placed the food26 before them. They ate while27 he was standing near them under a tree.

18:9 Then they asked him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” He replied, “There,28 in the tent.” 18:10 One of them29 said, “I will surely return30 to you when the season comes round again,31 and your wife Sarah will have a son!”32 (Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, not far behind him.33 18:11 Abraham and Sarah were old and advancing in years;34 Sarah had long since passed menopause.)35 18:12 So Sarah laughed to herself, thinking,36 “After I am worn out will I have pleasure,37 especially when my husband is old too?”38

18:13 The Lord said to Abraham, “Why39 did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really40 have a child when I am old?’ 18:14 Is anything impossible41 for the Lord? I will return to you when the season comes round again and Sarah will have a son.”42 18:15 Then Sarah lied, saying, “I did not laugh,” because she was afraid. But the Lord said, “No! You did laugh.”43