For we are about to destroy this place: this is the first time Lot learns that Sodom is to be destroyed.

Because the outcry against its people has become great before the LORD: this expression is almost a repetition of that used in 18.20.

And the LORD has sent us to destroy it: in this way the angels reveal their mission to Lot. The pronouns we above and us here refer to the two angels and will have the form “we-two” in those languages that have dual pronoun forms. They are also exclusive pronouns in languages that have different inclusive and exclusive forms.

Translators who wish to combine verses 12 and 13 may find Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch a suitable model:

• “… the Lord has sent us here to destroy this city. Strong outcries against its inhabitants have reached him. Take your whole family and get them out of the city! Do you still have a son-in-law, or other relative here?”

We may also render these two verses, for example:

• “The LORD has sent us here to destroy this city. He has heard accusations against the people of Sodom and has decided to destroy this place. If you have relatives such as sons, daughters, sons-in-law or any one else, get them out of the city.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .