1Abram’s wife, Sarai, had not borne any children for him, but she owned an Egyptian slave named Hagar.

2Sarai16:2 Gn 3:17 said to Abram, “Since the Lord has prevented me from bearing children, go to my slave; perhaps through her I can build a family.” And Abram agreed to what Sarai said.

3So Abram’s wife, Sarai, took Hagar, her Egyptian slave, and gave her to her husband, Abram, as a wife for him. This happened after Abram had lived in the land of Canaan ten years.

4He slept with16:4 Lit He came to Hagar, and she became pregnant. When she saw that she was pregnant, her mistress became contemptible to her.

5Then Sarai said to Abram, “You are responsible for my suffering!16:5 Or “May my suffering be on you! I put my slave in your arms,16:5 Lit bosom and when she saw that she was pregnant, I became contemptible to her. May the Lord judge between me and you.”16:5 Gn 31:49; Jos 22:25; 1Sm 24:12