Abraham and Abimelech
1 And Abraham journeyed fromthere to the South, and dwelt betweenKadesh and Shur, andstayed in Gerar.
2 Now Abraham said of Sarah his wife,“Sheismy sister.” And Abimelech king of Gerar sent andtook Sarah.
3 ButGod came to Abimelechin a dream by night, and said to him,“Indeed youarea dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for sheisa man’s wife.”
4 But Abimelech had not come near her; and he said, “Lord,will You slay a righteous nation also?
5 Did he not say to me, ‘Sheismy sister’? And she, even she herself said, ‘Heismy brother.’In the integrity of my heart and innocence of my hands I have done this.”
6 And God said to him in a dream, “Yes, I know that you did this in the integrity of your heart. ForI also withheld you from sinningagainst Me; therefore I did not let you touch her.
7 Now therefore, restore the man’s wife;for heisa prophet, and he will pray for you and you shall live. But if you do not restoreher,know that you shall surely die, youand all whoareyours.”
8 So Abimelech rose early in the morning, called all his servants, and told all these things in their hearing; and the men were very much afraid.
9 And Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, “What have you done to us? How have I offended you,that you have brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? You have done deeds to methat ought not to be done.”
10 Then Abimelech said to Abraham, “What did you have in view, that you have done this thing?”
11 And Abraham said, “Because I thought, surelythe fear of Godisnot in this place; andthey will kill me on account of my wife.
12 But indeedsheistruly my sister. Sheisthe daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.
13 And it came to pass, whenGod caused me to wander from my father’s house, that I said to her, ‘Thisisyour kindness that you should do for me: in every place, wherever we go,say of me, “Heismy brother.” ’ ”
14 Then Abimelechtook sheep, oxen, and male and female servants, and gavethemto Abraham; and he restored Sarah his wife to him.
15 And Abimelech said, “See,my landisbefore you; dwell where it pleases you.”
16 Then to Sarah he said, “Behold, I have given your brother a thousandpiecesof silver;indeed this vindicates youbefore all whoarewith you and before everybody.” Thus she was rebuked.
17 So Abraham prayedto God; and Godhealed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants. Then they borechildren;
18 for theLordhad closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.