Genesis 18:21

that I must go down ¹  and see if they are as wicked as the outcry suggests. ²  If not, ³  I want to know.”

biblegateway Gen 18:21

that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know."

biblegateway Gen 18:21

"I will go down now, and see if they have done entirely according to its outcry, which has come to Me; and if not, I will know."

biblegateway Gen 18:21

I am going down to see whether or not these reports are true. Then I will know."

biblegateway Gen 18:21

I'm going down to see for myself, see if what they're doing is as bad as it sounds. Then I'll know."

SABDAweb Gen 18:21

I will go down now, and see if their acts are as bad as they seem from the outcry which has come to me; and if they are not, I will see.

bibleoremus Gen 18:21

I must go down and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me; and if not, I will know."

biblegateway Gen 18:21

"I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry against it that has come to Me; and if not, I will know."

biblegateway Gen 18:21

that I must go down ¹  and see if they are as wicked as the outcry suggests. ²  If not, ³  I want to know.”

¹ tn The cohortative indicates the Lord’s resolve.

¹ sn I must go down. The descent to “see” Sodom is a bold anthropomorphism, stressing the careful judgment of God. The language is reminiscent of the Lord going down to see the Tower of Babel in Gen 11:1-9.

² tn Heb “[if] according to the outcry that has come to me they have done completely.” Even the Lord, who is well aware of the human capacity to sin, finds it hard to believe that anyone could be as bad as the “outcry” against Sodom and Gomorrah suggests.

³ sn The short phrase if not provides a ray of hope and inspires Abraham’s intercession.