1Abraham journeyed from the oaks of Mamre to the southern region of Canaan and settled between Kadesh and Shur, to live as a temporary resident in Gerar.
2Now Abraham had said about his wife Sarah, “She’s my sister.” So Abimelech, king of Gerar, sent for her and took her into his harem.
3One night, God appeared to Abimelech in a dream and said to him, “You’re as good as dead, for you have taken into your harem a married woman!”
4Now Abimelech had not touched Sarah, so he said to the Lord, “Would you really destroy people who are innocent?
5Didn’t the man tell me, ‘She is my sister’? And didn’t she agree and say, ‘Yes, he’s my brother’? I’ve done this with clean hands and a clear conscience.”
6Then God answered him in the dream, “Yes, I know you did this with a clear conscience. Furthermore, it was I who kept you from sinning and kept you from touching her.
7Now return the man’s wife, and because he is a prophet, he will intercede on your behalf that you may live. But if you don’t give her back—you will certainly die, you and your entire household.”
8So Abimelech rose early in the morning and gathered all his servants. When he told them about his dream, they were terrified!
9Abimelech summoned Abraham and asked him, “What is this trick you have played on us? I did nothing wrong to you. Why would you bring such great guilt upon me and my kingdom? You have done to me what no one should ever do to another.”
10Then Abimelech asked, “What is your purpose in doing this?”
11Abraham answered, “Because I thought, ‘There’s no one here that fears God. They will kill me to get to my wife.’
12Besides, she really is my half sister. She’s my father’s daughter, but not my mother’s, so I married her.
13When God sent me out to wander from my father’s house, I said to her, ‘Here is how you can show your love for me. Everywhere we go, you must say about me, “He’s my brother.” ’ ”
14Then Abimelech gave Abraham’s wife Sarah back to him. In addition, he gave him sheep, cattle, and both male and female servants.
15Abimelech told him, “Look, my land is now before you; feel free to settle wherever you please.”
16Then he turned to Sarah and said, “I am giving your brother a thousand pieces of silver as compensation to settle any claim against me, to exonerate you in the eyes of all who are with you, and to clear your reputation.”
17Then Abraham prayed to God; and God healed Abimelech! He also healed Abimelech’s wife and female servants of their infertility and they began to have babies again.
18For Yahweh had shut all the wombs of the women of Abimelech’s household because he took Sarah, Abraham’s wife.
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