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Genesis 20
New Life Version
Genesis 20
New Life Version
Abraham and Abimelech
20 Abraham traveled from there to the land of the Negev, and made his home between Kadesh and Shur. Then he lived for a time in Gerar. 2 Abraham said about his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” So Abimelech king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her for his wife. 3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said, “See, you are a dead man because of the woman you have taken. For she is already married.” 4 But Abimelech had not come near her. He said, “Lord, will You destroy a nation who is without blame? 5 Did the man not tell me, ‘She is my sister’? And she, even she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ I have done this with a heart of honor and with hands that are not guilty.”
6 Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that you have done this with a heart of honor. And I kept you from sinning against Me. I did not let you touch her. 7 So now return the man’s wife. For he is one who speaks for Me. Then he will pray for you, and you will live. But if you do not return her, know that you and all who are yours will die for sure.”
8 So Abimelech got up early in the morning. He called all his servants and told them all these things. And the men were very much afraid. 9 Then Abimelech called Abraham and said, “What have you done to us? What wrong have I done to you, that made you bring a great sin upon me and my nation? You have done to me what should not have been done.” 10 Abimelech said to Abraham, “What made you do such a thing?” 11 Abraham said, “I did it because I thought there was no fear of God in this place. I thought they would kill me because of my wife. 12 And it is true she is my sister. She is the daughter of my father, but not of my mother. And she became my wife. 13 When God made me go from my father’s house, I said to Sarah, ‘This is the kindness you must show me. Everywhere we go, say of me, “He is my brother.”’” 14 Then Abimelech gave to Abraham sheep and cattle, and men and women servants. And he returned his wife Sarah to him. 15 Abimelech said, “See, my land is in front of you. Make your home any place you want.” 16 He said to Sarah, “See, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver. It is to pay you for all that has happened. Your honor is made right in the eyes of all men.”
17 So Abraham prayed to God. And God healed Abimelech, his wife and the women who served him, so that they gave birth to children. 18 For the Lord had stopped all births in the house of Abimelech because of Abraham’s wife Sarah.
Genesis 20
New International Version
Genesis 20
New International Version
Abraham and Abimelek(A)
20 Now Abraham moved on from there(B) into the region of the Negev(C) and lived between Kadesh(D) and Shur.(E) For a while(F) he stayed in Gerar,(G) 2 and there Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.(H)” Then Abimelek(I) king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her.(J)
3 But God came to Abimelek(K) in a dream(L) one night and said to him, “You are as good as dead(M) because of the woman you have taken; she is a married woman.”(N)
4 Now Abimelek had not gone near her, so he said, “Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation?(O) 5 Did he not say to me, ‘She is my sister,(P)’ and didn’t she also say, ‘He is my brother’? I have done this with a clear conscience(Q) and clean hands.(R)”
6 Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept(S) you from sinning against me.(T) That is why I did not let you touch her. 7 Now return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet,(U) and he will pray for you(V) and you will live. But if you do not return her, you may be sure that you and all who belong to you will die.”(W)
8 Early the next morning Abimelek summoned all his officials, and when he told them all that had happened, they were very much afraid. 9 Then Abimelek 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 never be done.(X)” 10 And Abimelek asked Abraham, “What was your reason for doing this?”
11 Abraham replied, “I said to myself, ‘There is surely no fear of God(Y) in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.’(Z) 12 Besides, she really is my sister,(AA) the daughter of my father though not of my mother; and she became my wife. 13 And when God had me wander(AB) from my father’s household,(AC) I said to her, ‘This is how you can show your love to me: Everywhere we go, say of me, “He is my brother.”’”
14 Then Abimelek(AD) brought sheep and cattle and male and female slaves and gave them to Abraham,(AE) and he returned Sarah his wife to him. 15 And Abimelek said, “My land is before you; live wherever you like.”(AF)
16 To Sarah he said, “I am giving your brother a thousand shekels[a] of silver. This is to cover the offense against you before all who are with you; you are completely vindicated.”
17 Then Abraham prayed to God,(AG) and God healed Abimelek, his wife and his female slaves so they could have children again, 18 for the Lord had kept all the women in Abimelek’s household from conceiving because of Abraham’s wife Sarah.(AH)
Footnotes
- Genesis 20:16 That is, about 25 pounds or about 12 kilograms
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