Genesis 20

20 ¹Abraham traveled from there to the Negev, settled between Kadesh and Shur, and lived as a foreigner in Gerar. ²Abraham said of Sarah, his wife, "She is my sister." So Abimelech king of Gerar sent for her and took Sarah.

³But our Father came to Abimelech in a dream that night: "You are as good as dead because of the woman you took, for she is a married woman."

⁴Abimelech had not gone near her. He said, "Sovereign God, would you destroy even an innocent nation? ⁵Didn't he himself tell me, 'She's my sister'? And she herself also said, 'He's my brother.' I did this with a sincere heart and innocent hands."

⁶Then our Father said to him in the dream, "Yes, I know you did this with integrity of heart, and I have kept you from sinning against me—that's why I didn't let you touch her. ⁷Now return the man's wife, for he's a prophet who will pray for you, and you'll live. If you don't return her, know you will surely die, you and all who are yours."

⁸Abimelech rose early that morning, called all his servants, and told them all that had happened; the men were badly frightened. ⁹Abimelech summoned Abraham and asked, "What have you done to us? How did I sin against you, that you brought a great sin on me and my kingdom? You've done to me what should never be done." ¹⁰Abimelech also said to Abraham, "What did you have in mind, that you did such a thing?"

¹¹Abraham said, "I thought: surely there's no fear of our Father here, and they will kill me for my wife." ¹²Besides, she truly is my sister, my father's daughter but not my mother's, and she became my wife.

¹³When our Father made me wander from my father's house, I told her: Show me this kindness—wherever we go, say of me, "He is my brother."

¹⁴Abimelech took sheep, cattle, and male and female servants, gave them to Abraham, and returned Sarah his wife to him. ¹⁵Abimelech said, "My land is open to you; settle wherever you please." ¹⁶And to Sarah he said, "Look, I am giving your brother 1,000 pieces of silver. This is to cover the wrong done to you in the eyes of all who are with you; before everyone you are fully cleared."

¹⁷Abraham prayed to our Father, who healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants, so they could bear children again, ¹⁸for our Father had completely closed up every womb in Abimelech's household because of Sarah, Abraham's wife.