17. God heard the boy crying, and the Messenger of God called to Hagar from heaven. “What’s the matter, Hagar?” he asked her. “Don’t be afraid! God has heard the boy crying from the bushes.
18. Come on, help the boy up! Take him by the hand, because I’m going to make him into a great nation.”
19. God opened her eyes. Then she saw a well. She filled the container with water and gave the boy a drink.
20. God was with the boy as he grew up. He lived in the desert and became a skilled archer.
21. He lived in the desert of Paran, and his mother got him a wife from Egypt.
22. At that time Abimelech, accompanied by Phicol, the commander of his army, said to Abraham, “God is with you in everything you do.
23. Now, swear an oath to me here in front of God that you will never cheat me, my children, or my descendants. Show me and the land where you’ve been living the same kindness that I have shown you.”
24. Abraham said, “I so swear.”
25. Then Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well which Abimelech’s servants had seized.
26. Abimelech replied, “I don’t know who did this. You didn’t tell me, and I didn’t hear about it until today.”