International Standard Version | New Living Translation |
1Abraham traveled from there to the Negev and settled between Kadesh and Shur. While he was living in Gerar as an outsider, | 1Abraham moved south to the Negev and lived for a while between Kadesh and Shur, and then he moved on to Gerar. While living there as a foreigner, |
2because Abraham kept saying about his wife Sarah, "She is my sister," King Abimelech of Gerar summoned them and took Sarah into his household. | 2Abraham introduced his wife, Sarah, by saying, “She is my sister.” So King Abimelech of Gerar sent for Sarah and had her brought to him at his palace. |
3But God came to Abimelech in a dream during the night and spoke to him, "Pay attention! You're about to die, because the woman you have taken is a man's wife!" | 3But that night God came to Abimelech in a dream and told him, “You are a dead man, for that woman you have taken is already married!” |
4Now Abimelech had not yet come near her, so he asked, "LORD, will you destroy an innocent nation? | 4But Abimelech had not slept with her yet, so he said, “Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation? |
5Didn't he say to me, 'She's my sister'? And she also said, 'He's my brother.' I did this with pure intentions and clean hands." | 5Didn’t Abraham tell me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘Yes, he is my brother.’ I acted in complete innocence! My hands are clean.” |
6Then God replied to him in the dream, "I know that you did this with pure intentions, and it was I who kept you from sinning against me. Therefore, I didn't allow you to touch her. | 6In the dream God responded, “Yes, I know you are innocent. That’s why I kept you from sinning against me, and why I did not let you touch her. |
7Now then, return the man's wife. As a matter of fact, he's a prophet and can intercede for you so you'll live. But if you don't return her, be aware that you and all who are yours will certainly die." | 7Now return the woman to her husband, and he will pray for you, for he is a prophet. Then you will live. But if you don’t return her to him, you can be sure that you and all your people will die.” |
8So Abimelech got up early the next morning, summoned all his servants, and told them all these things. The men became terrified. | 8Abimelech got up early the next morning and quickly called all his servants together. When he told them what had happened, his men were terrified. |
9Then Abimelech called Abraham and asked him, "What have you done to us? How have I sinned against you, that you have brought such great sin against me and my kingdom? You've done things to me that ought not to have been done." | 9Then Abimelech called for Abraham. “What have you done to us?” he demanded. “What crime have I committed that deserves treatment like this, making me and my kingdom guilty of this great sin? No one should ever do what you have done! |
10Abimelech also asked Abraham, "What could you have been thinking when you did this?" | 10Whatever possessed you to do such a thing?” |
11"I thought that there's no fear of God in this place," Abraham replied, "and that they would kill me because of my wife. | 11Abraham replied, “I thought, ‘This is a godless place. They will want my wife and will kill me to get her.’ |
12Besides, she really is my sister—she's my father's daughter, but not my mother's daughter—so she could become my wife. | 12And she really is my sister, for we both have the same father, but different mothers. And I married her. |
13When God caused me to journey from my father's house, I asked her to do me this favor and say, 'He's my brother.'" | 13When God called me to leave my father’s home and to travel from place to place, I told her, ‘Do me a favor. Wherever we go, tell the people that I am your brother.’” |
14So Abimelech took some sheep and oxen, and some male and female servants, gave them to Abraham, returned his wife Sarah to him, | 14Then Abimelech took some of his sheep and goats, cattle, and male and female servants, and he presented them to Abraham. He also returned his wife, Sarah, to him. |
15and said, "Look! My land is available to you, so settle wherever you please." | 15Then Abimelech said, “Look over my land and choose any place where you would like to live.” |
16Abimelech also told Sarah, "Look! I am giving your brother 1,000 pieces of silver to vindicate you in the eyes of all who are with you. As a result, you will be completely vindicated." | 16And he said to Sarah, “Look, I am giving your ‘brother’ 1,000 pieces of silver in the presence of all these witnesses. This is to compensate you for any wrong I may have done to you. This will settle any claim against me, and your reputation is cleared.” |
17Then Abraham interceded with God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants so they could bear children, | 17Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants, so they could have children. |
18since the LORD had made all the women barren in Abimelech's household on account of Abraham's wife Sarah. | 18For the LORD had caused all the women to be infertile because of what happened with Abraham’s wife, Sarah. |
The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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