Genesis 45
45
Joseph reveals his identity
1Joseph could no longer control himself in front of all his attendants, so he declared, “Everyone, leave now!” So no one stayed with him when he revealed his identity to his brothers. 2He wept so loudly that the Egyptians and Pharaoh’s household heard him. 3Joseph said to his brothers, “I’m Joseph! Is my father really still alive?” His brothers couldn’t respond because they were terrified before him.
4Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me,” and they moved closer. He said, “I’m your brother Joseph! The one you sold to Egypt. 5Now, don’t be upset and don’t be angry with yourselves that you sold me here. Actually, God sent me before you to save lives. 6We’ve already had two years of famine in the land, and there are five years left without planting or harvesting. 7God sent me before you to make sure you’d survive#45.7 Or survive on earth and to rescue your lives in this amazing way. 8You didn’t send me here; it was God who made me a father to Pharaoh, master of his entire household, and ruler of the whole land of Egypt.
9“Hurry! Go back to your father. Tell him this is what your son Joseph says: ‘God has made me master of all of Egypt. Come down to me. Don’t delay. 10You may live in the land of Goshen, so you will be near me, your children, your grandchildren, your flocks, your herds, and everyone with you. 11I will support you there, so you, your household, and everyone with you won’t starve, since the famine will still last five years.’ 12You and my brother Benjamin have seen with your own eyes that I’m speaking to you. 13Tell my father about my power in Egypt and about everything you’ve seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.” 14He threw his arms around his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his shoulder. 15He kissed all of his brothers and wept, embracing them. After that, his brothers were finally able to talk to him.
Joseph’s brothers return for Jacob
16When Pharaoh’s household heard the message “Joseph’s brothers have arrived,” both Pharaoh and his servants were pleased. 17Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Give your brothers these instructions: Load your pack animals and go back to the land of Canaan. 18Get your father and your households and come back to me. Let me provide you with good things from the land of Egypt so that you may eat the land’s best food. 19Give them these instructions too: Take wagons from the land of Egypt for your children and wives, and pick up your father and come back. 20Don’t worry about your possessions because you will have good things from the entire land of Egypt.”
21So Israel’s sons did that. Joseph gave them wagons as Pharaoh instructed, and he gave them provisions for the road. 22To all of them he gave a change of clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of clothing. 23To his father he sent ten male donkeys carrying goods from Egypt, ten female donkeys carrying grain and bread, and rations for his father for the road. 24He sent his brothers off; and as they were leaving, he told them, “Don’t be worried about the trip.”#45.24 Or Don’t quarrel during the trip.
25So they left Egypt and returned to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. 26They announced to him, “Joseph’s still alive! He’s actually ruler of all the land of Egypt!” Jacob’s heart nearly failed, and he didn’t believe them.
27When they told him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the wagons Joseph had sent to carry him, Jacob recovered. 28Then Israel said, “This is too much! My son Joseph is still alive! Let me go and see him before I die.”
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Genesis 45: CEB
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2011 Common English Bible. All rights reserved.
Genesis 45
45
1Joseph could no longer refrain himself before many that stood by: whereupon he commanded that all should go out, and no stranger be present at their knowing one another.
2And he lifted up his voice with weeping, which the Egyptians and all the house of Pharao heard.
3And he said to his brethren: I am Joseph. Is my father yet living? His brethren could no answer him, being struck with exceeding great fear.
4And he said mildly to them: Come nearer to me. And when they were come near him, he said: I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into Egypt.
5Be not afraid, and let it not seem to you a hard case that you sold me into these countries: for God sent me before you into Egypt for your preservation.
6For it is two years since the famine began to be upon the land, and five years more remain, wherein there can be neither ploughing nor reaping.
7And God sent me before, that you may be preserved upon the earth, and may have food to live.
8Not by your counsel was I sent hither, but by the will of God: who hath made me as it were a father to Pharao, and lord of his whole house, and governor in all the land of Egypt.
9Make haste, and go ye up to my father, and say to him: Thus saith thy son Joseph: God hath made me lord of the whole land of Egypt. Come down to me, linger not.
10And thou shalt dwell in the land of Gessen: and thou shalt be near me, thou and thy sons, and thy sons' sons, thy sheep, and thy herds, and all things that thou hast.
11And there I will feed thee, (for there are yet five years of famine remaining): lest both thou perish, and thy house, and all things that thou hast.
12Behold, your eyes, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my mouth that speaketh to you.
13You shall tell my father of all my glory, and all things that you have seen in Egypt: make haste and bring him to me.
14And falling upon the neck of his brother Benjamin, he embraced him and wept: and Benjamin in like manner wept also on his neck.
15And Joseph kissed all his brethren, and wept upon every one of them: after which they were emboldened to speak to him.
16And it was heard, and the fame was abroad in the king's court: The brethren of Joseph are come. And Pharao with all his family was glad.
17And he spoke to Joseph that he should give orders to his brethren, saying: Load your beasts, and go into the land of Chanaan.
18And bring away from thence your father and kindred, and come to me: and I will give you all the good things of Egypt, that you may eat the marrow of the land.
19Give orders also that they take wagons out of the land of Egypt, for the carriage of their children and their wives. And say: Take up your father, and make haste to come with all speed.
20And leave nothing of your household stuff: for all the riches of Egypt shall be yours.
21And the sons of Israel did as they were bid. And Joseph gave them wagons according to Pharao's commandment: and provisions for the way.
22He ordered also to be brought out for every one of them two robes: but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver with five robes of the best.
23Sending to his father as much money and raiment, adding besides ten he-asses to carry off all the riches of Egypt, and as many she-asses, carrying wheat and bread for the journey.
24So he sent away his brethren, and at their departing said to them: Be not angry in the way.
25And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Chanaan to their father Jacob.
26And they told him, saying: Joseph thy son is living: and he is ruler in all the land of Egypt. Which when Jacob heard, he awaked as it were out of a deep sleep, yet did not believe them.
27They, on the other side, told the whole order of the thing. And when he saw the wagons and all that he had sent, his spirit revived,
28And he said: It is enough for me, if Joseph my son be yet living: I will go and see him before I die.
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An historical text maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society.