What if there are 50 good people in that city? Will you still destroy the city? Surely you will save the city for the 50 good people living there.
Genesis 18:25 - Easy To Read Version Surely you would not destroy the city. You would not destroy 50 good people to kill the evil people. If that happened, then good people and evil people would be the same—they would both be punished. You are the judge of all the earth. I know you will do the right thing.” Tuilleadh leaganachaKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? Amplified Bible - Classic Edition Far be it from You to do such a thing–to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as do the wicked! Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth execute judgment and do righteously? American Standard Version (1901) That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked, that so the righteous should be as the wicked; that be far from thee: shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? Common English Bible It’s not like you to do this, killing the innocent with the guilty as if there were no difference. It’s not like you! Will the judge of all the earth not act justly?” Catholic Public Domain Version Far be it from you to do this thing, and to kill the just with the impious, and for the just to be treated like the impious. No, this is not like you. You judge all the earth; you would never make such a judgment." Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version Far be it from thee to do this thing, and to slay the just with the wicked, and for the just to be in like case as the wicked. This is not beseeming thee, thou who judgest all the earth, wilt not make this judgment. |
What if there are 50 good people in that city? Will you still destroy the city? Surely you will save the city for the 50 good people living there.
The trees of the forest will sing with joy in front of the Lord!\par Why? Because the Lord is coming.\par He is coming to judge the world.\par
Now each one of you must fear the Lord. Be careful in what you do because the Lord our God is fair. The Lord doesn’t treat some people more important than others. And he doesn’t accept money to change his judgments.”
But God, you were right\par about everything that happens to us.\par You were right.\par And we were wrong.\par
“You men can understand,\par so listen to me.\par God would never do what is evil!\par God All-Powerful would never do wrong!\par
This is the truth,\par God won’t do wrong.\par God All-Powerful will always be fair.\par
God doesn’t abandon innocent people.\par He doesn’t help evil people.\par
God is always fair.\par God All-Powerful never changes\par the things that are right.\par
God is the judge,\par and the skies tell about his goodness.\par \i (SELAH {\cf2\super [298]})\i0 \par
When that happens, people will say:\par “Good people really are rewarded.\par There really is a God\par judging the world!” {\cf2\super [345]} \par
The earth and everything on it\par may be shaking and ready to fall,\par but I make it steady.”\par \i (SELAH {\cf2\super [429]})\i0 \par
You are the judge of the whole earth.\par Give proud people the punishment they deserve.\par
Rivers, clap your hands!\par All together now, mountains sing out!\par
So I said to myself, “God has planned a time for everything. And God has planned a time to judge everything people do. God will judge the good people and the bad people.”
In my short life, I have seen everything. I have seen good men die young. And I have seen evil men living long lives.
But Lord, you are a fair judge. You know how to test peoples’ hearts and minds. I will tell you my arguments. And I will let you give them the punishment they deserve.
Lord, if I argue with you,\par you are always right!\par But I want to ask you about some things that don’t seem right.\par Why are wicked people successful?\par Why do people you can’t trust have such easy lives?\par
\{God said,\} “You people might say, ‘\{God\} my Master isn’t fair!’ But listen, family of Israel. I am fair. You are the ones who are not fair!
But Moses and Aaron bowed to the ground and cried out, “God, you know what people are thinking. [208] Please don’t be angry at all these people. Only one man really sinned.”
We must all stand before Christ to be judged. Each person will get what he should. Each person will be paid for the things he did—good or bad—when he lived in the earthly body.
“At that time, I told those judges, ‘Listen to the arguments between your people. Be fair when you judge each case. It does not matter if the problem is between two Israelite people or between an Israelite and a foreigner. You must judge each case fairly.
When you judge, you must not think that one person is more important than another person. You must judge every person the same. Don’t be afraid of anyone, because your decision is from God. But if there is a case too hard for you to judge, then bring it to me and I will judge it.’
“The Rock (the Lord)—his work is perfect! Why? Because all his ways are right! God is true and faithful. He is good and honest.
You have come to the meeting of God’s firstborn {\cf2\super [167]} children. Their names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all people. And you have come to the spirits of good people who have been made perfect.
The people of Israel have not sinned against you. But you are doing a very bad thing against the people of Israel. May the Lord, the true Judge, decide whether the people of Israel are right or the Ammonite people!