16. But he hesitated. So the men grabbed his hand, his wife’s hand and his two daughters’ hands—because of Adonai’s compassion for him—and they brought him out and left him outside the city.
17. When they brought them outside, one said, “Flee for your life! Do not look behind you, and do not stop anywhere in the surrounding area! Escape to the hills, or else you’ll be swept away!”
18. But Lot said to them, “No, my Lord, please!
19. Look, please, your servant has found favor in Your eyes and You have magnified Your merciful loyalty, which You have shown me by letting me live. But I can’t escape to the hill country—for the disaster will overtake me and I’ll die!
20. Look, please, this city is close enough to flee there, and it’s little. Please let me escape there. Isn’t it small? And let me live!”
21. So He said to him, “Behold, I will grant your request concerning this matter too—not to demolish the city of which you have spoken.
22. Hurry! Flee to safety there, because I cannot do anything until you arrive there.” (This is why the town is named Zoar.)