[20:1] Abraham moved from Mamre to the southern part of Canaan and lived between Kadesh and Shur. Later, while he was living in Gerar,
[20:2] he said that his wife Sarah was his sister. So King Abimelech of Gerar had Sarah brought to him.
[20:3] One night God appeared to him in a dream and said, “You are going to die, because you have taken this woman; she is already married.”
[20:4] But Abimelech had not come near her, and he said, “Lord, I am innocent! Would you destroy me and my people?
[20:5] Abraham himself said that she was his sister, and she said the same thing. I did this with a clear conscience, and I have done no wrong.”
[20:6] God replied in the dream, “Yes, I know that you did it with a clear conscience; so I kept you from sinning against me and did not let you touch her.
[20:7] But now, give the woman back to her husband. He is a prophet, and he will pray for you, so that you will not die. But if you do not give her back, I warn you that you are going to die, you and all your people.”
[20:8] Early the next morning Abimelech called all his officials and told them what had happened, and they were terrified.
[20:9] Then Abimelech called Abraham and asked, “What have you done to us? What wrong have I done to you to make you bring this disaster on me and my kingdom? No one should ever do what you have done to me.
[20:10] Why did you do it?”
[20:11] Abraham answered, “I thought that there would be no one here who has reverence for God and that they would kill me to get my wife.
[20:12] She really is my sister. She is the daughter of my father, but not of my mother, and I married her.
[20:13] So when God sent me from my father's house into foreign lands, I said to her, ‘You can show how loyal you are to me by telling everyone that I am your brother.’”
[20:14] Then Abimelech gave Sarah back to Abraham, and at the same time he gave him sheep, cattle, and slaves.
[20:15] He said to Abraham, “Here is my whole land; live anywhere you like.”
[20:16] He said to Sarah, “I am giving your brother a thousand pieces of silver as proof to all who are with you that you are innocent; everyone will know that you have done no wrong.”