10 Now there was (A)a famine in the land; so Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a time, because the famine was (B)severe in the land. 11 It came about, when he [a]was approaching Egypt, that he said to his wife Sarai, “See now, I know that you are a [b](C)beautiful woman; 12 (D)and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife’; and they will kill me, but they will let you live. 13 Please say that you are (E)my sister so that it may go well for me because of you, and that [c](F)I may live on account of you.” 14 Now it came about, when Abram entered Egypt, that the Egyptians [d]saw that the woman was very beautiful. 15 Pharaoh’s officials saw her and praised her to Pharaoh; and (G)the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house. 16 Therefore (H)he treated Abram well for her sake; and [e](I)he gave him sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male servants and female servants, female donkeys, and camels.

17 But the Lord (J)struck Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. 18 Then Pharaoh called Abram and said, “(K)What is this that you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? 19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her for myself as a wife? Now then, [f]here is your wife, take her and go!” 20 And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him; and they [g]escorted him away, with his wife and all that belonged to him.

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Footnotes

  1. Genesis 12:11 Lit came near to enter
  2. Genesis 12:11 Lit woman of beautiful appearance
  3. Genesis 12:13 Lit my soul
  4. Genesis 12:14 Lit saw the woman that she was
  5. Genesis 12:16 Lit there was to him
  6. Genesis 12:19 Or behold
  7. Genesis 12:20 Lit sent

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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