Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

In the days of Amraphel, king of Shinar, Arioch, king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer, king of Elam, and Tidal, king of nations, war broke out among them. They made war with Bera, king of Sodom; Birsha, king of Gomorrah; Shinab, king of Admah; Shemeber, king of Zeboiim; and the king of Bela, also known as Zoar.

All these kings joined forces in the valley of Siddim, which is also called the Salt Sea. Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled. In the fourteenth year, Chedorlaomer and his allies marched out to conquer the Rephaim in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, and the Emim in Shaveh Kiriathaim.

The Horites inhabited Mount Seir, extending as far as Elparan, a place near the wilderness. Chedorlaomer's army then turned back and attacked Enmishpat, also known as Kadesh, where they defeated all the Amalekites and the Amorites who lived in Hazezontamar.

The kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela (also called Zoar) gathered their armies to fight against Chedorlaomer's forces in the valley of Siddim. Alongside Chedorlaomer were Tidal, king of nations; Amraphel, king of Shinar; and Arioch, king of Ellasar – four kings with five.

As they clashed in the valley of Siddim, the ground gave way beneath their feet, filling with tar pits. The kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled and fell into these sticky traps, while those who escaped took refuge on the surrounding mountains.

Chedorlaomer's army plundered all the riches of Sodom and Gomorrah, taking everything they owned, including food supplies. They also seized Lot, Abram's nephew, along with his possessions, and carried them off.

A lone survivor managed to escape and arrived at Mamre, where Abram was living as an ally of the Amorite Eshcol and Aner. When Abram heard that his brother had been taken captive, he rallied 318 trained men from his household and set out in pursuit, following Chedorlaomer's army as far as Dan.

That night, Abram and his men divided into groups to attack their enemies, striking them down until they reached Hobah, near Damascus. They recovered all the stolen goods and freed Lot, along with his family and livestock.

Upon returning from battle, Abram met King Bera of Sodom in the valley of Shaveh, also known as the King's Valley. There, Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High, greeted Abram, offering him bread and wine.

Melchizedek blessed Abram, saying, "May God Most High be blessed, who possesses heaven and earth! May he be praised for delivering your enemies into your hands – he has given you a share in all the spoils."

The king of Sodom approached Abram and said, "Take the people for yourself, but let me keep the goods." But Abram replied to the king, "I have sworn an oath to God Most High, the creator of heaven and earth, that I will not take anything from you. I won't even accept a thread or a shoelatchet, lest you say, 'He made Abram rich.'"

Instead, Abram offered to let his allies Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre share in the spoils along with him.