16 Then the men got up to leave. They looked toward Sodom and began walking in that direction. Abraham walked with them to send them on their way.
17 The Lord said to himself, “Should I tell Abraham what I am going to do now?
18 Abraham will become a great and powerful nation, and all the nations on earth will be blessed because of him.
19 I have made a special agreement with him. I did this so that he would command his children and his descendants to live the way the Lord wants them to. I did this so that they would live right and be fair. Then I, the Lord, can give him what I promised.”
20 Then the Lord said, “I have heard many times that the people of Sodom and Gomorrah are very evil.
21 I will go and see if they are as bad as I have heard. Then I will know for sure.”
22 So the men turned and started walking toward Sodom while Abraham stood there before the Lord.