Abram and Lot Part Ways

1Therefore, Abram ascended from Egypt, he and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, toward the southern region.

2But he was very wealthy by the possession of gold and silver. 3And he returned by the way that he came, from the meridian into Bethel, all the way to the place where before he had pitched his tent, between Bethel and Hai. 4There, at the place of the altar he had made before, he again called upon the name of the Lord. 5But Lot also, who was with Abram, had flocks of sheep, and cattle, and tents. 6Neither was the land able to contain them, so that they might dwell together. Indeed, their substance was so great that they could not live in common. 7And then there also arose a conflict between the shepherds of Abram and of Lot. Now at that time the Canaanite and the Perizzite lived in that land.

8Therefore, Abram said to Lot: “I ask you, let there be no quarrel between me and you, and between my shepherds and your shepherds. For we are brothers. 9Behold, the entire land is before your eyes. Withdraw from me, I beg you. If you will go to the left, I will take the right. If you choose the right, I will pass to the left.”

Lot Proceeds toward Sodom

10And so Lot, lifting up his eyes, saw all the region around the Jordan, which was thoroughly irrigated, before the Lord overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. It was like the Paradise of the Lord, and it was like Egypt, approaching toward Zoar. 11And Lot chose for himself the region around the Jordan, and he withdrew by way of the east. And they were divided, one brother from the other. 12Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan. In truth, Lot stayed in the towns that were around the Jordan, and he lived in Sodom. 13But the men of Sodom were very wicked, and they were sinners before the Lord beyond measure.

God Renews the Promise to Abram

14And the Lord said to Abram, after Lot was divided from him: “Lift up your eyes, and gaze out from the place where you are now, to the north and to the meridian, to the east and to the west. 15All the land that you see, I will give to you, and to your offspring even forever. 16And I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth. If any man is able to number the dust of the earth, he will be able to number your offspring as well. 17Arise and walk through the land in its length, and breadth. For I will give it to you.” 18Therefore, moving his tent, Abram went and dwelt by the steep valley of Mamre, which is in Hebron. And he built an altar there to the Lord.