10 ¶ Then there came a [a]famine in the land: therefore Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there: for there was a great famine in the land.

11 And when he drew near to enter into Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon:

12 Therefore it will come to pass that when the Egyptians see thee, they will say, She is his wife: so will they kill me, but they will keep thee alive.

13 Say, I pray thee, that thou art my [b]sister, that I may fare well for thy sake, and that my [c]life may be preserved by thee.

14 ¶ Now when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman: for she was very fair.

15 And the Princes of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her unto Pharaoh: so the woman was [d]taken into Pharaoh’s house:

16 Who entreated Abram well for her sake, and he had sheep, and beeves, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.

17 But the Lord [e]plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues, because of Sarai Abram’s wife.

18 Then Pharaoh called Abram, and said, Why hast thou done this unto me? Wherefore diddest thou not tell me, that she was thy wife?

19 Why saidest thou, She is my sister, that I should take her to be my wife? Now therefore behold thy wife, take her and go thy way.

20 And Pharaoh gave men [f]commandment concerning him: and they conveyed him forth and his wife, and all that he had.

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Footnotes

  1. Genesis 12:10 This was a new trial of Abram’s faith: whereby we see that the end of one affliction is the beginning of another.
  2. Genesis 12:13 By this we may learn not to use unlawful means, nor to put others in danger to save ourselves, read verse 20, albeit it may appear that Abram feared not so much death, as that if he should die without issue, God’s promise should not have taken place: wherein appeared a weak faith.
  3. Genesis 12:13 Hebrew, that my soul may live.
  4. Genesis 12:15 To be his wife.
  5. Genesis 12:17 The Lord took the defense of this poor stranger against a mighty king: and as he is ever careful over his, so did he preserve Sarai.
  6. Genesis 12:20 To the intent that none should hurt him either in his person or goods.

Abram in Egypt(A)

10 Now there was a famine in the land,(B) and Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe.(C) 11 As he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai,(D) “I know what a beautiful woman(E) you are. 12 When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live. 13 Say you are my sister,(F) so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you.”

14 When Abram came to Egypt, the Egyptians saw that Sarai was a very beautiful woman.(G) 15 And when Pharaoh’s officials saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh, and she was taken into his palace. 16 He treated Abram well for her sake, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels.(H)

17 But the Lord inflicted(I) serious diseases on Pharaoh and his household(J) because of Abram’s wife Sarai. 18 So Pharaoh summoned Abram. “What have you done to me?”(K) he said. “Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife?(L) 19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’(M) so that I took her to be my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and go!” 20 Then Pharaoh gave orders about Abram to his men, and they sent him on his way, with his wife and everything he had.

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