# Look

The phrase "Look" here draws attention to the surprising information that follows.

# I have undertaken to speak

"Pardon me for being so bold as to speak to you" or "Excuse me for daring to speak"

# to my Lord

Abraham shows his respect to Yahweh by speaking to Yahweh as if he were speaking to someone else. AT: "to you, my Lord" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

# only dust and ashes

This metaphor describes Abraham as a human being, who will die and whose body will turn into to dust and ashes. AT: "only a mortal man" or "as unimportant as dust and ashes" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

# five less than fifty righteous

"only forty-five righteous people"

# for lack of five

"if there are five fewer righteous people"

# I will not destroy it

"I will not destroy Sodom"