1And Avraham [exalted father/Fly They Will] journeyed from there toward the south country, and dwelled between Kadesh (to be consecrated, consecrated, sanctified) and Shur [wall] (wall), and detained (held) in G’rar (a lodging place).

2And Avraham [exalted father/Fly They Will] said of Sarah [Princess] his wife, She [is] my sister: and Avi-melekh (my father is king) king of G’rar (a lodging place) sent, and took Sarah [Princess].

3But God-Elōhīm [The Living Word - The Many Powered] came to Avi-melekh (my father is king) in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, youi [are but] a dead man, for the woman which youi hast taken; for she [is] a man’s wife.

4But Avi-melekh (my father is king) had not come near her: and he said, Lord-Adonai [The Father] (Greatest Above All), will youi slay also a righteous nation?

5Said he not unto me, She [is] my sister? and she, even she herself said, He [is] my brother: in the integrity of my heart and innocency of my hands have I done this.

6And God-Elōhīm [The Living Word - The Many Powered] said unto him in a dream, Yes, I know that youi did this in the integrity of youri heart; for I also withheld youi from sinning against me: therefore suffered I youi not to touch her.

7Now therefore restore the man [his] wife; for he [is] a prophet, and he shall pray for youi, and youi shall live: and if youi restore [her] not, know youi that youi shall surely die, youi, and all that [are] yoursi.

8Therefore Avi-melekh (my father is king) rose early in the morning, and called all his servants, and told all these things in their ears: and the men were sore afraid.

9Then Avi-melekh called Avraham [exalted father/Fly They Will], and said unto him, What hast youi done unto us? and what have I offended youi, that youi hast brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? youi hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done.

10And Avi-melekh said unto Avraham [exalted father/Fly They Will], What [did] youi see, that youi have done this thing?

11And Avraham [exalted father/Fly They Will] said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God-Elōhīm [The Living Word - The Many Powered] [is] not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife’s sake.

12And yet indeed [she is] my sister; she [is] the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.

13And it came to pass, when God-Elōhīm [The Living Word - The Many Powered] caused me to wander from my father’s house, that I said unto her, This [is] you (i) kindness which youi shall show unto me; at every place to where we shall come, say of me, He [is] my brother.

14And Avi-melekh (my father is king) took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and women servants, and gave [them] unto Avraham [exalted father/Fly They Will], and restored him Sarah [Princess] his wife.

15And Avi-melekh (my father is king) said, Behold, my land [is] before youi: dwell where it pleases youi.

16And unto Sarah [Princess] he said, Behold, I have given youri brother a thousand [pieces] of silver: behold, he [is] to youi a covering of the eyes, unto all that [are] with youi, and with all [other]: in this way she was reproved.

17So Avraham [exalted father/Fly They Will] prayed unto God-Elōhīm [The Living Word - The Many Powered]: and God-Elōhīm [The Living Word - The Many Powered] healed Avi-melekh (my father is king), and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bore children.

18For the Lord-Yehōvah (Messiah Pre-Incarnate) had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Avi-melekh, because of Sarah [Princess] Avraham’s [exalted father/Fly They Will] wife.

For more information about the NMV, details about why the names of God are notated and translated as they are, or to learn about the special markings and translations used in this text, click below.

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Genesis 20

Abraham and Abimelech

1Abraham left Hebron and traveled to southern Canaan. He stayed awhile between Kadesh and Shur. Then he moved to Gerar. 2Abraham told people that his wife Sarah was his sister. Abimelech king of Gerar heard this. So he sent some servants to take her. 3But one night God spoke to Abimelech in a dream. God said, “You will die. That woman you took is married.”

4But Abimelech had not slept with Sarah. So he said, “Lord, would you destroy an innocent nation? 5Abraham 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.”

6Then God said to Abimelech in the dream, “Yes, I know that you did not realize what you were doing. So I did not allow you to sin against me. I did not allow you to sleep with her. 7Give 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 will die. And all your family will surely die.”

8So early the next morning, Abimelech called all his officers. He told them everything that had happened in the dream. They were very much afraid. 9Then Abimelech called Abraham to him. Abimelech 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. 10What were you thinking that caused you to do this?”

11Then Abraham answered, “I thought no one in this place respected God. I thought someone would kill me to get Sarah. 12And it is true that she is my sister. She is the daughter of my father. But she is not the daughter of my mother. 13God told me to leave my father’s house and wander in many different places. When that happened, I told Sarah, ‘You must do a special favor for me. Everywhere we go tell people I am your brother.’”

14Then Abimelech gave Abraham some sheep, cattle and male and female slaves. Abimelech also gave Sarah, his wife, back to him. 15And Abimelech said, “Look around you at my land. You may live anywhere you want.”

16Abimelech said to Sarah, “I gave your brother Abraham 25 pounds of silver. I did this to make up for any wrong that people may think about you. I want everyone to know that you are innocent.”

17Then Abraham prayed to God. And God healed Abimelech, his wife and his servant girls. Now they could have children. 18The Lord had kept all the women in Abimelech’s house from having children. This was God’s punishment on Abimelech for taking Abraham’s wife Sarah.

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Genesis 20

Genesis 20