1
Abraham traveled from there toward the land of the South , and lived between Kadesh and Shur . He lived as a foreigner in Gerar .
2
Abraham said about Sarah his wife , "She is my sister ." Abimelech king of Gerar sent , and took Sarah .
3
But God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night , and said to him, "Behold, you are a dead man, because of the woman whom you have taken. For she is a man's wife ."
4
Now Abimelech had not come near her. He said , "Lord, will you kill even a righteous nation ?
5
Didn't he tell me, 'She is my sister ?' She, even she herself, said , 'He is my brother .' In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands have I done this."
6
God said to him in the dream , "Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also withheld you from sinning against me. Therefore I didn't allow you to touch her.
7
Now therefore, restore the man 's wife . For he is a prophet , and he will pray for you, and you will live. If you don't restore her, know for sure that you will die , you, and all who are yours."
8
Abimelech rose early in the morning , and called all his servants , and told all these things in their ear. The men were very scared.
9
Then Abimelech called Abraham , and said to him, "What have you done to us ? How have I sinned against you, that you have brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? You have done deeds to me that ought not to be done!"
10
Abimelech said to Abraham , "What did you see , that you have done this thing?"
11
Abraham said , "Because I thought, 'Surely the fear of God is not in this place . They will kill me for my wife 's sake.'
12
Besides, she is indeed my sister , the daughter of my father , but not the daughter of my mother ; and she became my wife .
13
It happened, when God caused me to wander from my father 's house , that I said to her, 'This is your kindness which you shall show to me. Everywhere that we go , say of me, "He is my brother ."'"
14
Abimelech took sheep and cattle, male servants and female servants , and gave them to Abraham , and restored Sarah , his wife , to him.
15
Abimelech said , "Behold, my land is before you. Dwell where it pleases you."
16
To Sarah he said , "Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver . Behold, it is for you a covering of the eyes to all that are with you. In front of all you are vindicated."
17
Abraham prayed to God . God healed Abimelech , and his wife , and his female servants, and they bore children.
18
For Yahweh had closed up tight all the wombs of the house of Abimelech , because of Sarah , Abraham 's wife .