Hence thou mayest learn: Everyone, who wishes to tell his companion a matter which is a disgrace to him, begins with a good word and concludes with the evil matter which is unpleasant to him. Whence do we learn this? From the Holy One, blessed be He, for when He was revealed to our father Abraham, He began to announce to him (the good news) concerning the conception by Sarah his wife. Afterwards He told him about the fate of Sodom, as it is said, "And the Lord said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great" (ibid.). (Abraham) began to ask for compassion before Him on behalf of Lot, the son of his brother.
He spake before Him: Sovereign of all worlds! Like the death of the wicked shall the death of the || righteous be? (As it is said), "Wilt thou consume the righteous with the wicked?" (Gen. 18:23). The Holy One, blessed be He, answered him: Abraham! By the merit of the righteous (one) will I forgive Sodom. "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous" (Gen. 18:26), then will I forgive it all its sins.