20:1 Then Abraham traveled south
and stayed between Kadesh and Shur
then stayed in Gerar.
20:2 Now Abraham said
about his wife Sarah:
She is my sister.
Then Abimelech chief of Gerar
sent for and brought Sarah to him.
20:3 But the Almighty appeared one night
to Abimelech while he was dreaming
and spoke to him:
Surely you are lifeless
because the woman you took
is someone’s wife.
20:4 Abimelech hadn’t gone near her
thus he replied:
Lord would You destroy
a righteous person?
20:5 Didn’t he say she was his sister?
And she said he is my brother?
I acted with a clear conscience
so my hands are clean.
20:6 Then the Almighty spoke
to him in a dream:
Yes I know you acted
with a clear conscience.
For I also kept you
from offending Me.
Therefore I did not allow
you to touch her.
20:7 So return the man’s wife
for he is a prophet
and he will pray for you
and you will have life.
But should you not return her
understand you will be lifeless
both you and yours.
20:8 Then Abimelech arose
early in the morning
called his servants and told them
all the things that happened
and the men were very worried.
20:9 Abimelech summoned Abraham saying:
What have you done to us?
How have I offended you
that you brought on me
and on my people this great offense?
You have done things to me
that should never have been done.
20:10 Abimelech asked Abraham:
Why did you do this?
20:11 Abraham answered:
Because I thought reverence
to the Almighty
surely cannot be found here
so they will kill me
on account of my wife.
20:12 Besides she truly is my sister.
She is the daughter of my father
but not the daughter of my mother
and she became my wife.
20:13 So when the time came for me
when the Almighty encouraged me
to leave my father's household
that I said to her:
You are kind to do this for me.
In every place wherever we go
say that I am your brother.
20:14 Then Abimelech brought forth
sheep and oxen
male and female
and gave them to Abraham
and returned his wife Sarah to him.
20:15 Then Abimelech told him:
Surely my land
stretches out before you.
Live where ever you like.
20:16 Then he told Sarah:
I have given your brother
a thousand pieces of silver.
Certainly this vindicates you
before everyone with you.
Thus she was vindicated.
20:17 Then Abraham prayed to God
and the Almighty healed Abimelech
along with his wife and servants.
Then they gave birth.
20:18 Yahweh prevented the women
in Abimelech’s household from conceiving
because of Abraham's wife Sarah.
