8 Early the next morning Abimelek summoned all his officials, and when he told them all that had happened, they were very much afraid. 9 Then Abimelek called Abraham in and said, “What have you done to us? How have I wronged you that you have brought such great guilt upon me and my kingdom? You have done things to me that should never be done.q” 10 And Abimelek asked Abraham, “What was your reason for doing this?”

11 Abraham replied, “I said to myself, ‘There is surely no fear of Godr in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.’s 12 Besides, she really is my sister,t the daughter of my father though not of my mother; and she became my wife. 13 And when God had me wanderu from my father’s household,v I said to her, ‘This is how you can show your love to me: Everywhere we go, say of me, “He is my brother.” ’ ”

14 Then Abimelekw brought sheep and cattle and male and female slaves and gave them to Abraham,x and he returned Sarah his wife to him. 15 And Abimelek said, “My land is before you; live wherever you like.”y

16 To Sarah he said, “I am giving your brother a thousand shekelsa of silver. This is to cover the offense against you before all who are with you; you are completely vindicated.”

17 Then Abraham prayed to God,z and God healed Abimelek, his wife and his female slaves so they could have children again, 18 for the Lord had kept all the women in Abimelek’s household from conceiving because of Abraham’s wife Sarah.a