20:1 Now Abraham moved on from there into the region of the Negev and lived between Kadesh and Shur. For a while he stayed in Gerar,

20:2 and there Abraham said of his wife Sarah, "She is my sister." Then Abimelech king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her.

20:3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream one night and said to him, "You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken; she is a married woman."

20:4 Now Abimelech had not gone near her, so he said, "Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation?

20:5 Did he not say to me, 'She is my sister,' and didn't she also say, 'He is my brother'? I have done this with a clear conscience and clean hands."

20:6 Then God said to him in the dream, "Yes, I know you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against me. That is why I did not let you touch her.

20:7 Now return the man's wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live. But if you do not return her, you may be sure that you and all yours will die."

20:8 Early the next morning Abimelech summoned all his officials, and when he told them all that had happened, they were very much afraid.

20:9 Then Abimelech called Abraham in and said, "What have you done to us? How have I wronged you that you have brought such great guilt upon me and my kingdom? You have done things to me that should not be done."

20:10 And Abimelech asked Abraham, "What was your reason for doing this?"

20:11 Abraham replied, "I said to myself, 'There is surely no fear of God in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.'

20:12 Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father though not of my mother; and she became my wife.

20:13 And when God had me wander from my father's household, I said to her, 'This is how you can show your love to me: Everywhere we go, say of me, "He is my brother." '"

20:14 Then Abimelech brought sheep and cattle and male and female slaves and gave them to Abraham, and he returned Sarah his wife to him.

20:15 And Abimelech said, "My land is before you; live wherever you like."

20:16 To Sarah he said, "I am giving your brother a thousand shekels of silver. This is to cover the offense against you before all who are with you; you are completely vindicated."

20:17 Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife and his slave girls so they could have children again,

20:18 for the LORD had closed up every womb in Abimelech's household because of Abraham's wife Sarah.