Genesis 12:18-19
 
Genesis 12:18-19
(KJV) 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.
(1611 KJV) {18} And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What is this that thou hast done vnto me? Why diddest thou not tell me, that she was thy wife? {19} Why saidest thou, Shee is my sister? so I might haue taken her to mee to wife: now therfore behold, thy wife, take her and goe thy way.
(1587 Geneva Bible) {18} Then Pharaoh called Abram, and saide, Why hast thou done this vnto me? Wherefore diddest thou not tell me, that she was thy wife? {19} Why saidest thou, She is my sister, that I should take her to be my wife? Nowe therefore beholde thy wife, take her and goe thy way.
(1568 Bishops Bible) {18} And Pharao callyng Abram, sayde: why hast thou done this vnto me? {19} Why diddest thou not tel me, that she was thy wyfe? why saydest thou, she is my sister? and so I might haue taken her to be my wyfe? Nowe therfore beholde, there is thy wyfe, take her, and go thy way.
 
Counterfeit Versions

(CSB)  {18} So Pharaoh sent for Abram and said, “What have you done to me? Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? {19} Why did you say, ‘She’s my sister,’ so that I took her as my wife? Now, here is your wife. Take her and go!”

(NIV) {18} So Pharaoh summoned Abram. "What have you done to me?" he said. "Why didn't you tell me she was your wife? {19} Why did you say, 'She is my sister,' so that I took her to be my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and go!"
(NASV) {18} Then Pharaoh called Abram and said, "What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? {19} "Why did you say, 'She is my sister,' so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife, take her and go."
(ESV) {18} So Pharaoh called Abram and said, "What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? {19}Why did you say, 'She is my sister,' so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife; take her, and go."
(1901 ASV) {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 that I took her to be my wife? now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way.
(CEV) {18} Finally, the king sent for Abram and said to him, "What have you done to me? Why didn't you tell me Sarai was your wife? {19} Why did you make me believe she was your sister? Now I've married her. Take her and go! She's your wife."
(HCSB) {18} So Pharaoh sent for Abram and said, "What have you done to me? Why didn't you tell me she was your wife? {19} Why did you say, 'She's my sister,' so that I took her as my wife? Now, here's your wife. Take her and go!"
(RSV) [18] So Pharaoh called Abram, and said, "What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? [19] Why did you say, `She is my sister,' so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife, take her, and be gone."
(NAB-Roman Catholic) {18} Then Pharaoh summoned Abram and said to him: "How could you do this to me! Why didn't you tell me she was your wife? {19} Why did you say, 'She is my sister,' so that I took her for my wife? Here, then, is your wife. Take her and be gone!"
 
Affected Teaching
This is one of the more subtle, yet major abominations in the modern versions. In the KJV we read the single word in verse 19, “might.” This means that Pharaoh did not yet take Sarah to be one of his wives. The modern versions omit the word “might” and teach that Pharaoh took Sarah to be his wife which would make Sarah an adulteress. This would also mean that the plagues which God sent on the house of Pharaoh would have been fruitless (verse 17). The reason that God sent those plagues was to prevent Pharaoh from taking her as his wife. According to the KJV, Pharaoh did not take Sarah as wife and returned her to Abraham who was rebuked by Pharaoh for lying about Sarah. When one little qualifying word is omitted, it changes the entire meaning of the passage which also affects the teachings of other passages and the continuity of the flow of Scripture. All the modern versions above use the word “took” which means that the action of taking Sarah as wife had already been completed, as the word “took“ is the past tense of the word “take.” The CEV states plainly that Pharaoh married her.
 
A quick English lesson:
I may take the one on sale - It means the possibility exists that I may take the item on sale.
I took the one on sale - This means a definite action on my part has already taken place.
This is the seriousness of the change in Genesis 12:19!

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