"And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you [are] a virtuous woman.

"May your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring which the LORD will give you from this young woman."

So Abraham prayed to God; and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants. Then they bore [children;]

for the LORD had closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham's wife.

And the LORD visited Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as He had spoken.

And Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him -- whom Sarah bore to him -- Isaac.

Now Isaac pleaded with the LORD for his wife, because she [was] barren; and the LORD granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

When the LORD saw that Leah [was] unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel [was] barren.

And Jacob's anger was aroused against Rachel, and he said, "[Am] I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?"

Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb.

And she conceived and bore a son, and said, "God has taken away my reproach."

And he lifted his eyes and saw the women and children, and said, "Who [are] these with you?" So he said, "The children whom God has graciously given your servant."

"For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition which I asked of Him.

[Those who were] full have hired themselves out for bread, And the hungry have ceased [to hunger.] Even the barren has borne seven, And she who has many children has become feeble.

He grants the barren woman a home, Like a joyful mother of children. Praise the LORD!

Behold, children [are] a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb [is] a reward.