[1] Abraham journeyed from there toward the land of the South, and lived
between Kadesh and Shur. He sojourned 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]
Moreover 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 oxen, men-servants and
women-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 maid-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.
