Genesis 20
New International Version - Genesis 20 << | >> 1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435363738394041424344454647484950 20:1 Now Abraham moved on from there into the region of the Negev and lived between Kadesh and Shur. For a while he stayed in Gerar, 20:2 and there Abraham said of his wife Sarah, 'She is my sister.' Then Abimelech king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her. 20:3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream one night and said to him, 'You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken; she is a married woman.' 20:4 Now Abimelech had not gone near her, so he said, 'Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation? 20:5 Did he not say to me, 'She is my sister,' and didn't she also say, 'He is my brother'? I have done this with a clear conscience and clean hands.' 20:6 Then God said to him in the dream, 'Yes, I know you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against me. That is why I did not let you touch her. 20:7 Now return the man's wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not return her, you may be sure that you and all yours will die.' 20:8 Early the next morning Abimelech summoned all his officials, and when he told them all that had happened, they were very much afraid. 20:9 Then Abimelech called Abraham in and said, 'What have you done to us? How have I wronged you that you have brought such great guilt upon me and my kingdom? You have done things to me that should not be done.' 20:10 And Abimelech asked Abraham, 'What was your reason for doing this?' 20:11 Abraham replied, 'I said to myself, 'There is surely no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.' 20:12 Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father though not of my mother; and she became my wife. 20:13 And when God had me wander from my father's household, I said to her, 'This is how you can show your love to me: Everywhere we go, say of me, 'He is my brother.' ' ' 20:14 Then Abimelech brought sheep and cattle and male and female slaves and gave them to Abraham, and he returned Sarah his wife to him. 20:15 And Abimelech said, 'My land is before you; live wherever you like.' 20:16 To Sarah he said, 'I am giving your brother a thousand shekels of silver. This is to cover the offense against you before all who are with you; you are completely vindicated.' 20:17 Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife and his slave girls so they could have children again, 20:18 for the Lord had closed up every womb in Abimelech's household because of Abraham's wife Sarah.