16. When he hesitated, the men grabbed him, his wife, and his two daughters by their hands, because the Lord wanted to spare Lot. They brought them safely outside the city.
17. As soon as they were outside, one ⌊of the angels⌋ said, “Run for your lives! Don’t look behind you, and don’t stop on the plain. Run for the hills, or you’ll be swept away!”
18. Lot answered, “Oh no!
19. Even though you’ve been so good to me and though you’ve been very kind to me by saving my life, I can’t run as far as the hills. This disaster will overtake me, and I’ll die.
20. Look, there’s a city near enough to flee to, and it’s small. Why don’t you let me run there? Isn’t it small? Then my life will be saved.”
21. The angel said to him, “Alright, I will grant you this request too. I will not destroy the city you’re talking about.
22. Run there quickly, because I can’t do anything until you get there.” (The city is named Zoar [Small].)
23. The sun had just risen over the land as Lot came to Zoar.
24. Then the Lord made burning sulfur and fire rain out of heaven on Sodom and Gomorrah.