Genesis 14

1In those days, Amraphel was king of Shinar. Arioch was king of Ellasar. Chedorlaomer was king of Elam. Tidal was king of Goiim.

2These 4 kings made war against 5 other kings. They fought Bera king of Sodom and Birsha king of Gomorrah. They also fought Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim and the king of Bela, which is Zoar.

3All 5 of these kings joined their armies in the Valley of Siddim, which is the Salt Sea.

4For 12 years these 5 kings had served Chedorlaomer. In the 13th year they rebelled.

5In the 14th year, Chedorlaomer and the kings with him came. They defeated the Rephaim in Ashteroth Karnaim. They defeated the Zuzim in Ham. They defeated the Emim in Shaveh Kiriathaim.

6They also defeated the Horites in the mountains of Seir, as far as El Paran by the desert.

7Then they turned back and came to En Mishpat, which is Kadesh. They defeated the whole land of the Amalekites. They also defeated the Amorites who lived in Hazazon Tamar.

8Then the kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim and Bela, which is Zoar, marched out. They lined up for battle in the Valley of Siddim.

9They fought against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar and Arioch king of Ellasar. It was 4 kings against 5.

10The Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits. The kings of Sodom and Gomorrah ran away, and some of their men fell into the pits. The rest ran to the mountains.

11The enemy took all the goods and food of Sodom and Gomorrah. Then they left.

12They also took Lot, Abram's nephew, who lived in Sodom. They took everything Lot owned.

13A man who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew. Abram was living near the big trees that belonged to Mamre the Amorite. Mamre and his brothers Eshcol and Aner had an agreement to help Abram.

14Abram heard that his nephew had been captured. Abram called out his 318 trained men who were born in his house. Abram chased the enemy as far as Dan.

15That night Abram divided his men into groups and attacked. They chased the enemy to Hobah, north of Damascus.

16Abram brought back all the goods. He brought back his nephew Lot and Lot's goods. He also brought back the women and the other people.

17Abram defeated Chedorlaomer and the kings with him. Then Abram returned. The king of Sodom went out to meet Abram in the Valley of Shaveh, also called the King's Valley.

18Melchizedek, the king of Salem, brought out bread and wine. Melchizedek was a priest of God Most High.

19Melchizedek blessed Abram and said: May God Most High, who made heaven and earth, bless Abram.

20Praise God Most High, who has put your enemies in your hands. Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything.

21The king of Sodom said to Abram: Give me the people. You may keep the goods.

22Abram said to the king of Sodom: I have raised my hand and sworn to the LORD, God Most High, who made heaven and earth.

23I will not take anything of yours, not even a thread or a sandal strap. Then you cannot say: I made Abram rich.

24I will take nothing but what my young men have eaten. But let Aner, Eshcol and Mamre take their share, because they went with me.