Genesis 13:12-18 (Vespers, 1st Reading)

12

Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom.

13

But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord.

14

And the Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are northward, southward, eastward, and westward;

15

“for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever.

16

“And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered.

17

“Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you.”

18

Then Abram moved his tent, and went and dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to the Lord.