The Promised Blessing Jeopardized

12:10 There was a famine in the land, so Abram went down to Egypt29 to stay for a while30 because the famine was severe.31 12:11 As he approached32 Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “Look,33 I know that you are a beautiful woman.34 12:12 When the Egyptians see you they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will keep you alive.35 12:13 So tell them36 you are my sister37 so that it may go well38 for me because of you and my life will be spared39 on account of you.”

12:14 When Abram entered Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. 12:15 When Pharaoh’s officials saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh. So Abram’s wife40 was taken41 into the household of Pharaoh,42 12:16 and he did treat Abram well43 on account of her. Abram received44 sheep and cattle, male donkeys, male servants, female servants, female donkeys, and camels.

12:17 But the Lord struck Pharaoh and his household with severe diseases45 because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. 12:18 So Pharaoh summoned Abram and said, “What is this46 you have done to me? Why didn’t you tell me that she was your wife? 12:19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her47 to be my wife?48 Here is your wife!49 Take her and go!”50 12:20 Pharaoh gave his men orders about Abram,51 and so they expelled him, along with his wife and all his possessions.