As he approached Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “Look, I know that you are a beautiful woman.

Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her to be my wife? Here is your wife! Take her and go!”

Abram said to Sarai, “Since your servant is under your authority, do to her whatever you think best.” Then Sarai treated Hagar harshly, so she ran away from Sarai.

As for Ishmael, I have heard you. I will indeed bless him, make him fruitful, and give him a multitude of descendants. He will become the father of twelve princes; I will make him into a great nation.

Abraham said, “Since I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, what if only twenty are found there?” He replied, “I will not destroy it for the sake of the twenty.”

Look, this town over here is close enough to escape to, and it’s just a little one. Let me go there. It’s just a little place, isn’t it? Then I’ll survive.”

“Very well,” he replied, “I will grant this request too and will not overthrow the town you mentioned.

Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father?” “What is it, my son?” he replied. “Here is the fire and the wood,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

After these things Abraham was told, “Milcah also has borne children to your brother Nahor –

Here I am, standing by the spring. When the young woman goes out to draw water, I’ll say, “Give me a little water to drink from your jug.”

Rebekah said to her son Jacob, “Look, I overheard your father tell your brother Esau,

So his father Isaac said to him, “Indeed, your home will be away from the richness of the earth, and away from the dew of the sky above.

She replied, “Here is my servant Bilhah! Have sexual relations with her so that she can bear children for me and I can have a family through her.”

Judah said, “Let her keep the things for herself. Otherwise we will appear to be dishonest. I did indeed send this young goat, but you couldn’t find her.”

After three months Judah was told, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar has turned to prostitution, and as a result she has become pregnant.” Judah said, “Bring her out and let her be burned!”

The seven lean, bad-looking cows that came up after them represent seven years, as do the seven empty heads of grain burned with the east wind. They represent seven years of famine.

He then said, “Look, I hear that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy grain for us so that we may live and not die.”

You will be tested in this way: As surely as Pharaoh lives, you will not depart from this place unless your youngest brother comes here.

Reuben said to them, “Didn’t I say to you, ‘Don’t sin against the boy,’ but you wouldn’t listen? So now we must pay for shedding his blood!”

Now, do not be upset and do not be angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me ahead of you to preserve life!