Genesis 20:1-18 NCV

[1] Abraham left Hebron and traveled to southern Canaan where he stayed awhile between Kadesh and Shur. When he moved to Gerar, [2] he told people that his wife Sarah was his sister. Abimelech king of Gerar heard this, so he sent some servants to take her. [3] But one night God spoke to Abimelech in a dream and said, "You will die. The woman you took is married." [4] But Abimelech had not gone near Sarah, so he said, "Lord, would you destroy an innocent nation? [5] Abraham himself told me, 'This woman is my sister,' and she also said, 'He is my brother.' I am innocent. I did not know I was doing anything wrong." [6] Then God said to Abimelech in the dream, "Yes, I know you did not realize what you were doing. So I did not allow you to sin against me and touch her. [7] Give Abraham his wife back. He is a prophet. He will pray for you, and you will not die. But if you do not give Sarah back, you and all your family will surely die." [8] So early the next morning, Abimelech called all his officers and told them everything that had happened in the dream. They were very afraid. [9] Then Abimelech called Abraham to him and said, "What have you done to us? What wrong did I do against you? Why did you bring this trouble to my kingdom? You should not have done these things to me. [10] What were you thinking that caused you to do this?" [11] Then Abraham answered, "I thought no one in this place respected God and that someone would kill me to get Sarah. [12] And it is true that she is my sister. She is the daughter of my father, but she is not the daughter of my mother. [13] When God told me to leave my father's house and wander in many different places, I told Sarah, 'You must do a special favor for me. Everywhere we go tell people I am your brother.'" [14] Then Abimelech gave Abraham some sheep, cattle, and male and female slaves. He also gave Sarah, Abraham's wife, back to him [15] and said, "Look around you at my land. You may live anywhere you want." [16] Abimelech said to Sarah, "I gave your brother Abraham twenty-five pounds of silver to make up for any wrong that people may think about you. I want everyone to know that you are innocent." [17] Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his servant girls so they could have children. [18] The LORD had kept all the women in Abimelech's house from having children as a punishment on Abimelech for taking Abraham's wife Sarah.