11 And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon:
12 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.
13 Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.
14 And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair.
15 The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house.
16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.
17 And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife.
18 And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife?
19 Why saidst thou, She is my sister? so I might have taken her to me to wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way.
20 And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him: and they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had.
There was famine. No water for miles around, and what little they found was scarce. So, Abram decided to journey on toward Egypt.
Abram's wife was very beautiful. Because of this, Abram was concerned for their safety. He was afraid the men of Egypt would take her from him, and kill them all to have her. So, he told Sarai to tell everyone they meet that he was her brother, not her husband. At least, if he was her brother (which was half true), the men would try to buy her from him, or win his favor, rather than take her forcibly, as was the custom.
The Pharoah and all the princes of Egypt lusted after her. He gave Abram cattle and jewels and servants and they wanted for nothing. And, he took Sarai into his house.
God caused great plagues to come over their house until they figured out that it was because of Sarai that all the bad things were happening. They found out that she was, indeed, Abram's wife and the Pharoah confronted Abram.
The Pharoah had not yet taken Sarai into his bed as his wife.
He asked Abram, "Why did you lie to me? I might have taken her to wife!" It would have been taboo for him to take another man's wife into his bed.
He sent Abram away from him, and told his soldiers not to harm him him, and told him to leave the country. He didn't even want his gifts back.
So, Abram left that place richer than he had entered it.
