Genesis 12:10-20

International Children’s Bible

Abram Goes to Egypt

¹⁰ At this time there was not much food in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to live because there was so little food. ¹¹ Just before they arrived in Egypt, Abram said to his wife Sarai, “I know you are a very beautiful woman. ¹² When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This woman is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but let you live. ¹³ Tell them you are my sister. Then things will go well with me. And I may be allowed to live because of you.”

¹⁴ So Abram went into Egypt. The people of Egypt saw that Sarai was very beautiful. ¹⁵ Some of the Egyptian officers saw her also. They told the king of Egypt how beautiful she was. They took her to the king’s palace. ¹⁶ The king was kind to Abram because he thought Abram was Sarai’s brother. He gave Abram sheep, cattle and male and female donkeys. Abram also was given male and female servants and camels.

¹⁷ But the Lord sent terrible diseases on the king and all the people in his house. This was because of Abram’s wife Sarai. ¹⁸ So the king sent for Abram. The king said, “What have you done to me? Why didn’t you tell me Sarai was your wife? ¹⁹ Why did you say, ‘She is my sister’? I made her my wife. But now here is your wife. Take her and leave!” ²⁰ Then the king commanded his men to make Abram leave Egypt. So Abram and his wife left with everything they owned.