1. Abraham moved away from there into the Negev Desert. He lived between Kadesh and Shur. For a while he stayed in Gerar.
2. There Abraham said about his wife Sarah, "She's my sister." Then Abimelech sent for Sarah and took her. He was the king of Gerar.
3. God came to Abimelech in a dream one night. He said to him, "You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken. She is already married."
4. But Abimelech hadn't gone near her. So he said, "Lord, will you destroy a nation that hasn't done anything wrong?
5. Didn't Abraham say to me, 'She's my sister'? And didn't she also say, 'He's my brother'? I had no idea I was doing anything wrong. I'm not guilty."
6. Then God spoke to him in the dream. He said, "Yes, I know you had no idea you were doing anything wrong. So I have kept you from sinning against me. That is why I did not let you touch her.