to be read monday, Oct. 18

17 After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). 18And King Melchizedek of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was priest of God Most High. 19He blessed him and said,
‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
 maker of heaven and earth; 
20 and blessed be God Most High,
 who has delivered your enemies into your hand!’
And Abram gave him one-tenth of everything. 21Then the king of Sodom said to Abram, ‘Give me the people, but take the goods for yourself.’ 22But Abram said to the king of Sodom, ‘I have sworn to the Lord, God Most High, maker of heaven and earth, 23that I would not take a thread or a sandal-thong or anything that is yours, so that you might not say, “I have made Abram rich.” 24I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me—Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre. Let them take their share.’