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 and Sarai in Egypt

10 At that time a severe famine struck the land of Canaan, forcing Abram to go down to Egypt, where he lived as a foreigner. 11 As he was approaching the border of Egypt, Abram said to his wife, Sarai, “Look, you are a very beautiful woman. 12 When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife. Let’s kill him; then we can have her!’ 13 So please tell them you are my sister. Then they will spare my life and treat me well because of their interest in you.”

14 And sure enough, when Abram arrived in Egypt, everyone noticed Sarai’s beauty. 15 When the palace officials saw her, they sang her praises to Pharaoh, their king, and Sarai was taken into his palace. 16 Then Pharaoh gave Abram many gifts because of her—sheep, goats, cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels.

17 But the Lord sent terrible plagues upon Pharaoh and his household because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. 18 So Pharaoh summoned Abram and accused him sharply. “What have you done to me?” he demanded. “Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? 19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ and allow me to take her as my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and get out of here!” 20 Pharaoh ordered some of his men to escort them, and he sent Abram out of the country, along with his wife and all his possessions.

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