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.