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约瑟向他的兄弟表明身分

45 约瑟在所有侍立在他左右的人面前,不能自制,就喊叫说:“叫各人都离开我出去。”这样,约瑟向他的兄弟们表白自己身分的时候,没有别人在场。 于是他放声大哭,埃及人听到了;法老一家也听闻这事。 约瑟对他的兄弟们说:“我就是约瑟,我的父亲还在吗?”他的兄弟们不能回答他,因为他们在约瑟面前都非常惊惶。 约瑟对他的兄弟们说:“请你们上前来。”他们就上前去。他说:“我就是被你们卖到埃及的弟弟约瑟。 现在你们不要因为把我卖到这里来,而自忧自责。这原是 神差派我在你们以先来这里,为要保全性命。 现在这地的饥荒已经有两年了,还有五年不能耕种,也没有收成。  神差派我在你们以先来这里,为要给你们在地上留下余种,大大施行拯救,保全你们的性命。 这样看来,差派我到这里来的,不是你们,而是 神。他立我作法老之父,作他全家之主,又作全埃及地的首相。 你们要赶快上到我父亲那里去,对他说:‘你的儿子约瑟这样说: 神立我作了全埃及的主;请你下到我这里来,不要耽延。 10 你和你的众儿孙、牛羊,以及你一切所有的,都可以住在歌珊地,与我相近。 11 我要在那里供养你,因为还有五年的饥荒,免得你和你的家人,以及你一切所有的,都陷入穷困里。’ 12 看哪,你们和我弟弟便雅悯都亲眼看见,是我亲口对你们说话。 13 你们也要把我在埃及的一切尊荣,和你们所看见的一切,都告诉我的父亲,又要赶快把我的父亲接到这里来。” 14 于是,约瑟伏在他弟弟便雅悯的颈项上,哭起来了;便雅悯也伏在约瑟的颈项上哭。 15 他又与众兄弟亲吻,拥抱着他们哭。然后,他的兄弟们就跟他说话。

法老命约瑟迎接父亲

16 消息传到法老的家里,说:“约瑟的兄弟们来了。”法老和他的臣仆都很高兴。 17 法老对约瑟说:“你要对你的兄弟们说:‘你们要这样作:使你们的牲口载满货物,起程到迦南地去, 18 把你们的父亲和家人都接到我这里来;我要把埃及地美好的产物赐给你们,你们也可以吃这地肥美的食物。’ 19 现在我再吩咐你对他们说:‘你们要这样作:从埃及地带些车辆回去,用来接你们的孩子和妻子,并且把你们的父亲接来。 20 不要顾惜你们的家具,因为埃及全地美好的产物都是你们的。’”

21 以色列的儿子们就照样作了。约瑟照着法老所吩咐的,给了他们一些车辆和路上用的食物。 22 又给了他们各人一套新衣服,但是给便雅悯三千四百二十克银子和五套衣服。 23 约瑟送去给他父亲的,有公驴十头,载着埃及美好的产物,以及母驴十头,载着五谷、饼和给他父亲在路上用的食物。 24 于是,约瑟打发他的兄弟们回去,他们走的时候,约瑟对他们说:“你们在路上不要争吵。”

兄弟回家迎接父亲

25 他们离开埃及,上到迦南地他们父亲雅各那里去, 26 告诉他,说:“约瑟还在,并且作了埃及全地的首相。”雅各的心冷淡麻木,因为他不相信他们。 27 他们就把约瑟对他们所说的一切话,都告诉了他。他们的父亲雅各看见了约瑟派来接他的车辆,心才苏醒过来。 28 以色列说:“够了!约瑟我的儿子还在;在我还没有死以前,我要去看看他。”

约瑟与弟兄相认

45 约瑟再也控制不住自己,于是令所有的随从都出去。这样,约瑟跟弟兄们相认时,没有外人在场。 约瑟放声大哭,埃及人听见了他的哭声,法老家也听到了这个消息。 约瑟对他的弟兄们说:“我是约瑟!我的父亲还健在吗?”他的弟兄们吓得一句话也说不出来。

约瑟叫他们走近一点,等他们靠近了,便说:“我是你们卖到埃及的弟弟约瑟! 现在,你们不要因为把我卖到这里而自怨自责。上帝差我先来这里,是为了保住大家的性命。 地上的饥荒已经两年了,我们还有五年不能种、不能收。 上帝差我先来,是要为你们保留后代,又要大施拯救,保住你们的性命。 这样看来,不是你们,是上帝把我送到这里的。祂使我成为法老的宰相,管理他的家和整个埃及。 你们快回去告诉父亲,他儿子约瑟说,‘上帝已经使我管理整个埃及,请他立刻来这里。 10 他可以带着他的子孙、牛羊及一切所有住在歌珊。那里离我很近, 11 我可以奉养他,以免他和全家老少及仆婢牲畜都陷入绝境,因为还有五年的饥荒。’ 12 你们和我弟弟便雅悯都看见了,这是我亲口对你们说的。 13 你们要把我在埃及享有的尊荣和你们见到的一切都告诉父亲,尽快把他接来。” 14 约瑟和弟弟便雅悯抱头痛哭, 15 然后又亲吻其他弟兄,抱着他们痛哭,弟兄们跟他交谈起来。

16 约瑟弟兄们到来的消息传到法老的王宫,法老和他的臣仆都为约瑟感到高兴。 17 法老对约瑟说:“你去吩咐你的弟兄备好驴回迦南, 18 把你们的父亲和家眷都接到我这里。我要把埃及最好的土地赐给他们,让他们享受这里肥美的物产。 19 吩咐你的弟兄从埃及带着车去把他们的妻子、儿女和你们的父亲接来。 20 不要担心你们在迦南的产业,因为埃及全国的美物都是你们的。”

21 以色列的儿子们答应了。约瑟遵照法老的吩咐,为他的弟兄们预备好车辆和路上需用的粮食, 22 又给他们每人一套新衣服,但给了便雅悯五套新衣服和三百块银子。 23 约瑟送给父亲十头公驴,驮着埃及的美物,还送了十头母驴,驮着粮食、饼和其他食物,让父亲路上用。 24 约瑟送弟兄们回去,嘱咐他们路上不要争吵。

25 于是,他们离开埃及回到在迦南的父亲雅各那里, 26 对父亲说:“约瑟还活着,并且做了埃及的宰相。”雅各惊呆了,不敢相信他们的话。 27 雅各听了他们转述约瑟的话,又看见约瑟派来接他的车,才回过神来。 28 以色列说:“我信了!我儿约瑟还活着,我要在死之前去见他。”

Joseph Makes Himself Known

45 Then Joseph could no longer control himself(A) before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!”(B) So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. And he wept(C) so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.(D)

Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?”(E) But his brothers were not able to answer him,(F) because they were terrified at his presence.(G)

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.”(H) When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt!(I) And now, do not be distressed(J) and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here,(K) because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.(L) For two years now there has been famine(M) in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant(N) on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.[a](O)

“So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God.(P) He made me father(Q) to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.(R) Now hurry(S) back to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay.(T) 10 You shall live in the region of Goshen(U) and be near me—you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have.(V) 11 I will provide for you there,(W) because five years of famine(X) are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.’(Y)

12 “You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin,(Z) that it is really I who am speaking to you.(AA) 13 Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt(AB) and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly.(AC)

14 Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin(AD) embraced him,(AE) weeping. 15 And he kissed(AF) all his brothers and wept over them.(AG) Afterward his brothers talked with him.(AH)

16 When the news reached Pharaoh’s palace that Joseph’s brothers had come,(AI) Pharaoh and all his officials(AJ) were pleased.(AK) 17 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals(AL) and return to the land of Canaan,(AM) 18 and bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt(AN) and you can enjoy the fat of the land.’(AO)

19 “You are also directed to tell them, ‘Do this: Take some carts(AP) from Egypt for your children and your wives, and get your father and come. 20 Never mind about your belongings,(AQ) because the best of all Egypt(AR) will be yours.’”

21 So the sons of Israel did this. Joseph gave them carts,(AS) as Pharaoh had commanded, and he also gave them provisions for their journey.(AT) 22 To each of them he gave new clothing,(AU) but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels[b] of silver and five sets of clothes.(AV) 23 And this is what he sent to his father: ten donkeys(AW) loaded with the best things(AX) of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and other provisions for his journey.(AY) 24 Then he sent his brothers away, and as they were leaving he said to them, “Don’t quarrel on the way!”(AZ)

25 So they went up out of Egypt(BA) and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan.(BB) 26 They told him, “Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt.”(BC) Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them.(BD) 27 But when they told him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts(BE) Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. 28 And Israel said, “I’m convinced!(BF) My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”(BG)

Footnotes

  1. Genesis 45:7 Or save you as a great band of survivors
  2. Genesis 45:22 That is, about 7 1/2 pounds or about 3.5 kilograms

45 Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.

And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.

And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.

And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.

Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.

For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest.

And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.

Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not:

10 And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast:

11 And there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty.

12 And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you.

13 And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen; and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither.

14 And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck.

15 Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.

16 And the fame thereof was heard in Pharaoh's house, saying, Joseph's brethren are come: and it pleased Pharaoh well, and his servants.

17 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Say unto thy brethren, This do ye; lade your beasts, and go, get you unto the land of Canaan;

18 And take your father and your households, and come unto me: and I will give you the good of the land of Egypt, and ye shall eat the fat of the land.

19 Now thou art commanded, this do ye; take you wagons out of the land of Egypt for your little ones, and for your wives, and bring your father, and come.

20 Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is your's.

21 And the children of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way.

22 To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment.

23 And to his father he sent after this manner; ten asses laden with the good things of Egypt, and ten she asses laden with corn and bread and meat for his father by the way.

24 So he sent his brethren away, and they departed: and he said unto them, See that ye fall not out by the way.

25 And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father,

26 And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob's heart fainted, for he believed them not.

27 And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived:

28 And Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.

Joseph Revealed to His Brothers

45 Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, “Make everyone go out from me!” So no one stood with him (A)while Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he (B)wept aloud, and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard it.

Then Joseph said to his brothers, (C)“I am Joseph; does my father still live?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence. And Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near to me.” So they came near. Then he said: “I am Joseph your brother, (D)whom you sold into Egypt. But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; (E)for God sent me before you to preserve life. For these two years the (F)famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. And God (G)sent me before you to preserve a [a]posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you who sent me here, but (H)God; and He has made me (I)a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a (J)ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.

“Hurry and go up to my father, and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph: “God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not [b]tarry. 10 (K)You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near to me, you and your children, your children’s children, your flocks and your herds, and all that you have. 11 There I will (L)provide for you, lest you and your household, and all that you have, come to poverty; for there are still five years of famine.” ’

12 “And behold, your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is (M)my mouth that speaks to you. 13 So you shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that you have seen; and you shall hurry and (N)bring my father down here.”

14 Then he fell on his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck. 15 Moreover he (O)kissed all his brothers and wept over them, and after that his brothers talked with him.

16 Now the report of it was heard in Pharaoh’s house, saying, “Joseph’s brothers have come.” So it pleased Pharaoh and his servants well. 17 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Say to your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals and depart; go to the land of Canaan. 18 Bring your father and your households and come to me; I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you will eat (P)the [c]fat of the land. 19 Now you are commanded—do this: Take carts out of the land of Egypt for your little ones and your wives; bring your father and come. 20 Also do not be concerned about your goods, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.’ ”

21 Then the sons of Israel did so; and Joseph gave them (Q)carts,[d] according to the command of Pharaoh, and he gave them provisions for the journey. 22 He gave to all of them, to each man, (R)changes of garments; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and (S)five changes of garments. 23 And he sent to his father these things: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain, bread, and food for his father for the journey. 24 So he sent his brothers away, and they departed; and he said to them, “See that you do not become troubled along the way.”

25 Then they went up out of Egypt, and came to the land of Canaan to Jacob their father. 26 And they told him, saying, “Joseph is still alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt.” (T)And Jacob’s heart stood still, because he did not believe them. 27 But when they told him all the words which Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit (U)of Jacob their father revived. 28 Then Israel said, “It is enough. Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”

Footnotes

  1. Genesis 45:7 remnant
  2. Genesis 45:9 delay
  3. Genesis 45:18 The choicest produce
  4. Genesis 45:21 wagons