15 When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, w“Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city.” 16 And while he lingered, the men xtook hold of his hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the yLord being merciful to him, zand they brought him out and set him outside the city. 17 So it came to pass, when they had brought them outside, that 2he said, a“Escape for your life! bDo not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape cto the mountains, lest you be 3destroyed.”

18 Then Lot said to them, “Please, dno, my lords! 19 Indeed now, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have increased your mercy which you have shown me by saving my life; but I cannot escape to the mountains, lest some evil overtake me and I die. 20 See now, this city is near enough to flee to, and it is a little one; please let me escape there (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.”

21 And he said to him, “See, eI have favored you concerning this thing also, in that I will not overthrow this city for which you have spoken. 22 Hurry, escape there. For fI cannot do anything until you arrive there.”

Therefore gthe name of the city was called 4Zoar.