1Two full years later, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing on the bank of the Nile River. 2In his dream he saw seven fat, healthy cows come up out of the river and begin grazing in the marsh grass. 3Then he saw seven more cows come up behind them from the Nile, but these were scrawny and thin. These cows stood beside the fat cows on the riverbank. 4Then the scrawny, thin cows ate the seven healthy, fat cows! At this point in the dream, Pharaoh woke up.

5But he fell asleep again and had a second dream. This time he saw seven heads of grain, plump and beautiful, growing on a single stalk. 6Then seven more heads of grain appeared, but these were shriveled and withered by the east wind. 7And these thin heads swallowed up the seven plump, well-formed heads! Then Pharaoh woke up again and realized it was a dream.

8The next morning Pharaoh was very disturbed by the dreams. So he called for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. When Pharaoh told them his dreams, not one of them could tell him what they meant.

9Finally, the king’s chief cup-bearer spoke up. “Today I have been reminded of my failure,” he told Pharaoh. 10“Some time ago, you were angry with the chief baker and me, and you imprisoned us in the palace of the captain of the guard. 11One night the chief baker and I each had a dream, and each dream had its own meaning. 12There was a young Hebrew man with us in the prison who was a slave of the captain of the guard. We told him our dreams, and he told us what each of our dreams meant. 13And everything happened just as he had predicted. I was restored to my position as cup-bearer, and the chief baker was executed and impaled on a pole.”

14Pharaoh sent for Joseph at once, and he was quickly brought from the prison. After he shaved and changed his clothes, he went in and stood before Pharaoh. 15Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream last night, and no one here can tell me what it means. But I have heard that when you hear about a dream you can interpret it.”

16“It is beyond my power to do this,” Joseph replied. “But God can tell you what it means and set you at ease.”

17So Pharaoh told Joseph his dream. “In my dream,” he said, “I was standing on the bank of the Nile River, 18and I saw seven fat, healthy cows come up out of the river and begin grazing in the marsh grass. 19But then I saw seven sick-looking cows, scrawny and thin, come up after them. I’ve never seen such sorry-looking animals in all the land of Egypt. 20These thin, scrawny cows ate the seven fat cows. 21But afterward you wouldn’t have known it, for they were still as thin and scrawny as before! Then I woke up.

22“In my dream I also saw seven heads of grain, full and beautiful, growing on a single stalk. 23Then seven more heads of grain appeared, but these were blighted, shriveled, and withered by the east wind. 24And the shriveled heads swallowed the seven healthy heads. I told these dreams to the magicians, but no one could tell me what they mean.”

25Joseph responded, “Both of Pharaoh’s dreams mean the same thing. God is telling Pharaoh in advance what he is about to do. 26The seven healthy cows and the seven healthy heads of grain both represent seven years of prosperity. 27The seven thin, scrawny cows that came up later and the seven thin heads of grain, withered by the east wind, represent seven years of famine.

28“This will happen just as I have described it, for God has revealed to Pharaoh in advance what he is about to do. 29The next seven years will be a period of great prosperity throughout the land of Egypt. 30But afterward there will be seven years of famine so great that all the prosperity will be forgotten in Egypt. Famine will destroy the land. 31This famine will be so severe that even the memory of the good years will be erased. 32As for having two similar dreams, it means that these events have been decreed by God, and he will soon make them happen.

33“Therefore, Pharaoh should find an intelligent and wise man and put him in charge of the entire land of Egypt. 34Then Pharaoh should appoint supervisors over the land and let them collect one-fifth of all the crops during the seven good years. 35Have them gather all the food produced in the good years that are just ahead and bring it to Pharaoh’s storehouses. Store it away, and guard it so there will be food in the cities. 36That way there will be enough to eat when the seven years of famine come to the land of Egypt. Otherwise this famine will destroy the land.”

Joseph Made Ruler of Egypt

37Joseph’s suggestions were well received by Pharaoh and his officials. 38So Pharaoh asked his officials, “Can we find anyone else like this man so obviously filled with the spirit of God?” 39Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has revealed the meaning of the dreams to you, clearly no one else is as intelligent or wise as you are. 40You will be in charge of my court, and all my people will take orders from you. Only I, sitting on my throne, will have a rank higher than yours.”

41Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the entire land of Egypt.” 42Then Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his hand and placed it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in fine linen clothing and hung a gold chain around his neck. 43Then he had Joseph ride in the chariot reserved for his second-in-command. And wherever Joseph went, the command was shouted, “Kneel down!” So Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of all Egypt. 44And Pharaoh said to him, “I am Pharaoh, but no one will lift a hand or foot in the entire land of Egypt without your approval.”

45Then Pharaoh gave Joseph a new Egyptian name, Zaphenath-paneah.#41:45a Zaphenath-paneah probably means “God speaks and lives.” He also gave him a wife, whose name was Asenath. She was the daughter of Potiphera, the priest of On.#41:45b Greek version reads of Heliopolis; also in 41:50. So Joseph took charge of the entire land of Egypt. 46He was thirty years old when he began serving in the court of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. And when Joseph left Pharaoh’s presence, he inspected the entire land of Egypt.

47As predicted, for seven years the land produced bumper crops. 48During those years, Joseph gathered all the crops grown in Egypt and stored the grain from the surrounding fields in the cities. 49He piled up huge amounts of grain like sand on the seashore. Finally, he stopped keeping records because there was too much to measure.

50During this time, before the first of the famine years, two sons were born to Joseph and his wife, Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, the priest of On. 51Joseph named his older son Manasseh,#41:51 Manasseh sounds like a Hebrew term that means “causing to forget.” for he said, “God has made me forget all my troubles and everyone in my father’s family.” 52Joseph named his second son Ephraim,#41:52 Ephraim sounds like a Hebrew term that means “fruitful.” for he said, “God has made me fruitful in this land of my grief.”

53At last the seven years of bumper crops throughout the land of Egypt came to an end. 54Then the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had predicted. The famine also struck all the surrounding countries, but throughout Egypt there was plenty of food. 55Eventually, however, the famine spread throughout the land of Egypt as well. And when the people cried out to Pharaoh for food, he told them, “Go to Joseph, and do whatever he tells you.” 56So with severe famine everywhere, Joseph opened up the storehouses and distributed grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout the land of Egypt. 57And people from all around came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph because the famine was severe throughout the world.

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Genesis 41

1And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh (Great House) dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.

2And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured cows and fatfleshed [plump]; and they fed in a meadow.

3And, behold, seven other cows came up after them out of the river, ill favoured and leanfleshed [emaciated]; and stood by the [other] cows upon the brink of the river.

4And the ill favoured and leanfleshed cows did eat up the seven well favoured and fat cows. So Pharaoh awoke.

5And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good.

6And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them.

7And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, [it was] a dream.

8And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Mitzrayim [Egypt], and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but [there was] none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.

9Then spoke the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day:

10Pharaoh was exceedingly angry with his servants, and put me in ward (in custody, with a guard; prison) in the captain of the guard’s house, [both] me and the chief baker:

11And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream.

12And [there was] there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret.

13And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto my office, and him he hanged.

14Then Pharaoh (Great House) sent and called Yosef (Increaser; May God the Powerful One add [Yah]), and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved [himself], and changed his clothing, and came in unto Pharaoh.

15And Pharaoh said unto Yosef, I have dreamed a dream, and [there is] none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of youi, [that] youi can understand a dream to interpret it.

16And Yosef answered Pharaoh, saying, [It is] not in me: God-Elōhīm [The Living Word - The Many Powered] shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.

17And Pharaoh said unto Yosef, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river:

18And, behold, there came up out of the river seven cows, fatfleshed and well favoured; and they fed in a meadow:

19And, behold, seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ill favoured and leanfleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Mitzrayim [Egypt] for badness:

20And the lean and the ill favoured cows did eat up the first seven fat cows:

21And when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; but they [were] still ill favoured, as at the beginning. So I awoke.

22And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up in one stalk, full and good:

23And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, [and] blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them:

24And the thin ears devoured the seven good ears: and I told [this] unto the magicians; but [there was] none that could declare [it] to me.

25And Yosef (Increaser; May God the Powerful One add [Yah]) said unto Pharaoh (Great House), The dream of Pharaoh [is] one: God-Elōhīm [The Living Word - The Many Powered] has showed Pharaoh what he [is] about to do.

26The seven good cows [are] seven years; and the seven good ears [are] seven years: the dream [is] one.

27And the seven thin and ill favoured cows that came up after them [are] seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine.

28This [is] the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God-Elōhīm [The Living Word - The Many Powered] [is] about to do he shows unto Pharaoh.

29Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Mitzrayim [Egypt] (Double Distress or Double Stronghold, Black Land):

30And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Mitzrayim [Egypt] (Double Distress or Double Stronghold, Black Land); and the famine shall consume the land;

31And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it [shall be] very grievous.

32And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; [it is] because the thing [is] established by God-Elōhīm [The Living Word - The Many Powered], and God-Elōhīm [The Living Word - The Many Powered] will shortly bring it to pass.

33Now therefore let Pharaoh (Great House) look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Mitzrayim [Egypt] (Double Distress or Double Stronghold, Black Land).

34Let Pharaoh do [this], and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Mitzrayim [Egypt] in the seven plenteous years.

35And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.

36And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Mitzrayim [Egypt]; that the land perish not through the famine.

37And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh (Great House), and in the eyes of all his servants.

38And Pharaoh (Great House) said unto his servants, Can we find [such a one] as this [is], a man in whom the Spirit of God-Elōhīm [The Living Word - The Many Powered] [is]?

39And Pharaoh (Great House) said unto Yosef (Increaser; May God the Powerful One add [Yah]), Forasmuch as God-Elōhīm [The Living Word - The Many Powered] has showed youi all this, [there is] none so discreet and wise as youi [are]:

40Youi shall be over my house, and according unto youri word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than youi.

41And Pharaoh (Great House) said unto Yosef (Increaser; May God the Powerful One add [Yah]), See, I have set youi over all the land of Mitzrayim [Egypt].

42And Pharaoh (Great House) took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Yosef’s (Increaser; May God the Powerful One add [Yah]) hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;

43And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him [ruler] over all the land of Mitzrayim [Egypt] (Double Distress or Double Stronghold, Black Land).

44And Pharaoh (Great House) said unto Yosef (Increaser; May God the Powerful One add [Yah]), I am Pharaoh (Great House), and without youi shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Mitzrayim [Egypt] (Double Distress or Double Stronghold, Black Land).

45And Pharaoh called Yosef’s (Increaser; May God the Powerful One add [Yah]) name Tzafnat-Pa’neach (Treasury of the Glorious Rest; Revealer of the Secrets of Life): and he gave him to wife Asenath (gift of the water) the daughter of Osnat the daughter of Poti-Fera priest of On (belonging to the sun-god; he whom Ra gave) [On = meaning sun-city; Heliopolis]. And Yosef (Increaser; May God the Powerful One add [Yah]) went out over [all] the land of Mitzrayim [Egypt] (Double Distress or Double Stronghold, Black Land).

46And Yosef (Increaser; May God the Powerful One add [Yah]) [was] thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh (Great House) king of Mitzrayim [Egypt] (Double Distress or Double Stronghold, Black Land). And Yosef went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Mitzrayim [Egypt].

47And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls.

48And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Mitzrayim [Egypt], and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which [was] round about every city, laid he up in the same.

49And Yosef gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for [it was] without number.

50And unto Yosef (Increaser; May God the Powerful One add [Yah]) were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Osnat (gift of the water) the daughter of Poti-Fera (belonging to the sun-god; he whom Ra gave) priest of On (meaning sun-city; Heliopolis) bore unto him.

51And Yosef (Increaser; May God the Powerful One add [Yah]) called the name of the firstborn M’nasheh (causing to forget; from a debt): For God-Elōhīm [The Living Word - The Many Powered], [said he], has made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house.

52And the name of the second he called Efrayim (Out of the Ashes I am Fruitful; fruitful in affliction): For God-Elōhīm [The Living Word - The Many Powered] has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.

53And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Mitzrayim [Egypt] (Double Distress or Double Stronghold, Black Land), were ended.

54And the seven years of famine began to ome, according as Yosef had said: and the famine was in all lands; but in all the land of Mitzrayim [Egypt] there was bread.

55And when all the land of Mitzrayim [Egypt] (Double Distress or Double Stronghold, Black Land) was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh (Great House) for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Mitzrayimot [Egyptians] (People of the Black Land), Go unto Yosef (Increaser; May God the Powerful One add [Yah]); what he says to you, do.

56And the famine was over all the face of the earth: And Yosef opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Mitzrayimot [Egyptians]Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Mitzrayim [Egypt].

57And all countries came into Mitzrayim [Egypt] to Yosef for to buy [corn]; because that the famine was [so] sore in all lands.

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Genesis 41

Genesis 41