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Abraham and Abimelech

¹ Abraham traveled from there to the land of the Negev, and made his home between Kadesh and Shur. Then he lived for a time in Gerar. ² Abraham said about his wife Sarah, "She is my sister." So Abimelech king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her for his wife. ³ But God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said, "See, you are a dead man because of the woman you have taken. For she is already married." ⁴ But Abimelech had not come near her. He said, "Lord, will You destroy a nation who is without blame? ⁵ Did the man not tell me, ‘She is my sister'? And she, even she herself said, ‘He is my brother.' I have done this with a heart of honor and with hands that are not guilty."

⁶ Then God said to him in the dream, "Yes, I know that you have done this with a heart of honor. And I kept you from sinning against Me. I did not let you touch her. ⁷ So now return the man's wife. For he is one who speaks for Me. Then he will pray for you, and you will live. But if you do not return her, know that you and all who are yours will die for sure."

⁸ So Abimelech got up early in the morning. He called all his servants and told them all these things. And the men were very much afraid. ⁹ Then Abimelech called Abraham and said, "What have you done to us? What wrong have I done to you, that made you bring a great sin upon me and my nation? You have done to me what should not have been done." ¹⁰ Abimelech said to Abraham, "What made you do such a thing?" ¹¹ Abraham said, "I did it because I thought there was no fear of God in this place. I thought they would kill me because of my wife. ¹² And it is true she is my sister. She is the daughter of my father, but not of my mother. And she became my wife. ¹³ When God made me go from my father's house, I said to Sarah, ‘This is the kindness you must show me. Everywhere we go, say of me, "He is my brother."'" ¹⁴ Then Abimelech gave to Abraham sheep and cattle, and men and women servants. And he returned his wife Sarah to him. ¹⁵ Abimelech said, "See, my land is in front of you. Make your home any place you want." ¹⁶ He said to Sarah, "See, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. It is to pay you for all that has happened. Your honor is made right in the eyes of all men."

¹⁷ So Abraham prayed to God. And God healed Abimelech, his wife and the women who served him, so that they gave birth to children. ¹⁸ For the Lord had stopped all births in the house of Abimelech because of Abraham's wife Sarah.