1 Abraham moved on from there to the land of the Negev and settled between Kadesh and Shur; and he stayed for a time as a foreigner in Gerar.
2 Abraham said of his wife Sarah, "She is my sister," so Abimelech king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her.
3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream at night and told him, "You are about to die because of the woman you have taken; she is a married woman."
4 Abimelech had not gone near her. He said, "Lord, will you slay a nation even though it is righteous?
5 Did he not tell me himself, 'She is my sister'? And she, she too said, 'He is my brother.' With a whole heart and clean hands I have done this."
6 God said to him in the dream, "I too know that you did this with a whole heart, and I also held you back from sinning against me; that is why I did not allow you to touch her.
7 Now give the man's wife back, for he is a prophet; he will pray for you, and you will live. But if you do not give her back, know that you will certainly die, you and everyone who belongs to you."
8 Early in the morning Abimelech got up, summoned all his servants, and related all these things to them; and the men were greatly frightened.
9 Abimelech then summoned Abraham and said to him, "What have you done to us? How did I sin against you, that you have brought on me and my kingdom so great a sin? Deeds that should not be done you have done to me."
10 Abimelech also said to Abraham, "What did you have in view in doing this?"
11 Abraham answered, "I thought, 'There is surely no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me on account of my wife.'
12 And besides, she really is my sister, my father's daughter, though not my mother's daughter; and she became my wife.
13 So when God made me wander from my father's house, I told her, 'This is the kindness you are to do me: everywhere we go, say of me, "He is my brother."'"
14 Abimelech took sheep and cattle and male and female servants, gave them to Abraham, and gave his wife Sarah back to him.
15 Abimelech said, "My land lies before you; settle wherever seems good to you."
16 To Sarah he said, "See, I am giving your brother a thousand pieces of silver; it is for you a covering of the eyes before all who are with you, and with everyone you are vindicated."
17 Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants, and they bore children.
18 For the LORD had shut fast every womb in Abimelech's household on account of Sarah, Abraham's wife.