1   Joseph could no longer control his feelings in front of his attendants, and he called out, ‘Let everyone leave my presence.’ So there was nobody present when Joseph made himself known to his brothers, 2   but so loudly did he weep that the Egyptians and Pharaoh's household heard him. 3   Joseph said to his brothers, ‘I am Joseph; can my father be still alive?’ His brothers were so dumbfounded at finding themselves face to face with Joseph that they could not answer. 4   Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Come closer’, and so they came close. He said, ‘I am your brother Joseph whom you sold into Egypt. 5   Now do not be distressed or take it amiss that you sold me into slavery here; it was God who sent me ahead of you to save men's lives. 6   For there have now been two years of famine in the country, and there will be another five years with neither ploughing nor harvest. 7   God sent me ahead of you to ensure that you will have descendants on earth, and to preserve you all, a great band of survivors. 8   So it was not you who sent me here, but God, and he has made me a father ^note to Pharaoh, and lord over all his household and ruler of all Egypt. 9   Make haste and go back to my father and give him this message from his son Joseph: “God has made me lord of all Egypt. 10   Come down to me; do not delay. You shall live in the land of Goshen and be near me, you, your sons and your grandsons, your flocks and herds and all that you have. 11   I will take care of you there, you and your household and all that you have, and see that you are not reduced to poverty; there are still five years of famine to come.” 12   You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is Joseph himself who is speaking to you. 13   Tell my father of all the honour which I enjoy in Egypt, tell him all you have seen, and make haste to bring him down here.’ 14   Then he threw his arms round his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin too embraced him weeping. 15   He kissed all his brothers and wept over them, and afterwards his brothers talked with him.

16   When the report that Joseph's brothers had come reached Pharaoh's

Joseph in Egypt house, he and all his courtiers were pleased. 17   Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Say to your brothers: “This is what you are to do. Load your beasts and go to Canaan. 18   Fetch your father and your households and bring them to me. I will give you the best that there is in Egypt, and you shall enjoy the fat of the land.” 19   You shall also tell them: ^note “Take wagons from Egypt for your dependants and your wives and fetch your father and come. 20   Have no regrets at leaving your possessions, for all the best that there is in Egypt is yours.”’ 21   The sons of Israel did as they were told, and Joseph gave them wagons, according to Pharaoh's orders, and food for the journey. 22   He provided each of them with a change of clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of clothing. 23   Moreover he sent his father ten asses carrying the best that there was in Egypt, and ten she-asses loaded with grain, bread, and provisions for his journey. 24   So he dismissed his brothers, telling them not to quarrel among themselves on the road, and they set out. 25   Thus they went up from Egypt and came to their father Jacob in Canaan. 26   There they gave him the news that Joseph was still alive and that he was ruler of all Egypt. 27   He was stunned and could not believe it, but they told him all that Joseph had said; and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to take him away, his spirit revived. 28   Israel said, ‘It is enough. Joseph my son is still alive; I will go and see him before I die.’

Previous section

Next section