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创世记 37:2-44:10
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified)
创世记 37:2-44:10
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified)
2 以下是有关雅各一家的记载。
十七岁的少年约瑟跟哥哥们，就是雅各的妾辟拉和悉帕生的儿子们一同放羊。他向父亲报告哥哥们做的坏事。 3 约瑟是以色列年老时生的，以色列特别宠爱他，为他做了一件彩衣。 4 约瑟的哥哥们见父亲偏爱他，就怀恨在心，对他恶言相向。
5 约瑟做了一个梦，并告诉了哥哥们，他们更恨他了。 6 约瑟对哥哥们说：“你们听听我做的梦—— 7 我们在田里捆庄稼，我捆的庄稼站起来，你们捆的庄稼都围着我捆的庄稼下拜。” 8 他的哥哥们回答说：“难道你真想做我们的王统治我们吗？”他们因约瑟的梦和他说的话而更恨他。
9 后来，约瑟又做了一个梦，他又去对哥哥们说：“你们听听我做的另一个梦，我梦见太阳、月亮和十一颗星星都向我下拜。” 10 约瑟把梦告诉了父亲和哥哥们，他父亲就责备他说：“你做的是什么梦！难道你的父母弟兄都要来向你俯伏下拜吗？” 11 约瑟的哥哥们嫉恨他，他父亲却把这些话记在心里。
12 约瑟的哥哥们到示剑放父亲的羊。 13 以色列把约瑟叫来，对他说：“你哥哥们在示剑放羊，我要派你去他们那里。”约瑟说：“好的。” 14 以色列说：“你去看看你哥哥们以及羊群是否平安，然后回来告诉我。”于是，约瑟就从希伯仑谷出发去示剑。 15 有人见他在田野走迷了路，就问他：“你在找什么？” 16 约瑟回答说：“我在找我哥哥们，你知道他们在哪里放羊吗？” 17 那人说：“他们已经走了，我听他们说要到多坍去。”约瑟就赶往多坍，在那里找到了他们。
18 约瑟的哥哥们远远看见他走来，趁他还没有到跟前，就合谋要害死他。 19 他们彼此商量说：“看！做梦的来了。 20 来吧！我们杀了他，把他扔在井里，就说有野兽把他吃掉了，看他的梦怎么实现。” 21 吕便听后想救约瑟的性命，就说：“我们不要害他性命。” 22 他又说：“不要杀人流血，把他扔在这口井里吧，不要下手害他。”吕便想救约瑟，把他交回给父亲。 23 这时候，约瑟来了，他们就脱去他身上的彩衣， 24 把他扔到井里。当时，那口井是干的，没有水。
25 他们坐下来吃饭的时候，看见一队从基列来的以实玛利商人用骆驼驮着香料、乳香、没药去埃及。 26 犹大对他的众弟兄说：“我们杀死弟弟、掩盖罪行有什么益处呢？ 27 不如把他卖给以实玛利人，不要下手害他，他毕竟是我们的弟弟，我们的骨肉啊！”其他弟兄都赞成他的意见。 28 于是，那些米甸商人经过的时候，他们就把约瑟从井里拉上来，以二百二十克银子的价钱把他卖给了以实玛利人。这些商人把他带到埃及去了。
29 吕便回到井边发现约瑟不见了，就伤心地撕裂了身上的衣服， 30 回到弟兄们那里说：“那少年不见了，我现在怎么办？” 31 他们宰了一只公山羊，把血染在约瑟的彩衣上， 32 拿去给父亲，说：“我们捡到这件衣服，你看看是不是你儿子的？” 33 雅各认出那件彩衣，说：“这是我儿子的衣服，一定是野兽把他吃了，约瑟一定被撕碎了！” 34 雅各撕裂自己的衣服，束上麻布，为约瑟哀伤了好几天。 35 他的儿女都来安慰他，他却不肯接受他们的安慰，说：“我一定会凄凄惨惨地下到阴间，去我儿子那里。”约瑟的父亲为他哀哭。
36 那些米甸人把约瑟带到埃及后，把他卖给了法老的内臣——护卫长波提乏。
犹大与她玛
38 那时，犹大离开了他的兄弟们，到亚杜兰人希拉的家里住。 2 他在那里遇见了迦南人书亚的女儿，就娶她为妻，与她同房。 3 她怀孕生了一个儿子，犹大给他取名叫珥。 4 她又怀孕生了一个儿子，给他取名叫俄南。 5 她再次怀孕生了一个儿子，给他取名叫示拉。示拉是在基悉出生的。
6 犹大给长子珥娶了她玛为妻。 7 耶和华见珥行为邪恶，就取走了他的性命。 8 犹大对俄南说：“你要与哥哥的妻子她玛同房，向她尽你做弟弟的本分，好替你哥哥传宗接代。” 9 俄南知道生了儿子也不归自己，所以每次与她玛同房都把精液遗在地上，免得给他哥哥留后。 10 耶和华见俄南行为邪恶，就取走了他的性命。 11 犹大恐怕示拉会像他的两个哥哥一样死去，就对儿媳她玛说：“示拉还没有长大，你先回娘家守寡吧。”
12 多年后，犹大的妻子，即书亚的女儿死了，等到守丧的日子满了，犹大就和他的朋友亚杜兰人希拉去亭拿，到替他剪羊毛的人那里。 13 有人告诉她玛说：“你公公到亭拿去剪羊毛了。” 14 她玛见示拉已经长大，却仍然没有娶她，就脱下寡妇的衣服，蒙上脸，换了装束，坐在去亭拿路上的伊拿印城门口。 15 犹大看见她蒙着脸，以为她是妓女， 16 就走过去对她说：“你陪我睡觉吧。”犹大不知道她是自己的儿媳妇。她玛问道：“你要我陪你睡觉，你给我什么呢？” 17 犹大回答说：“我会从羊群中取一只山羊羔送给你。”她玛问道：“羊还没有送来以前，你给我什么作抵押呢？” 18 犹大问：“你要什么作抵押呢？”她玛说：“我要你的印、印带和你的手杖。”犹大给了她，然后跟她睡觉。她玛就这样怀了孕。 19 事后，她起来走了。她拿掉蒙脸的布，仍旧穿上寡妇的装束。
20 犹大托他的朋友亚杜兰人送去一只山羊羔，要从那女人手中换回抵押物，却找不到她。 21 他的朋友就问当地的人：“伊拿印路旁的庙妓在哪里？”他们回答说：“这里没有庙妓。” 22 他的朋友只好回去对犹大说：“我找不着她，当地人说那里没有庙妓。” 23 犹大说：“让她留着我的东西吧，免得我们成为笑柄。反正我把羊送过去了，只是你找不到她。”
24 大约过了三个月，有人告诉犹大说：“你的儿媳妇她玛不守妇道，并且怀孕了。”犹大说：“把她拉出来烧死！” 25 他们正要把她拉出来，她请人带口信给他公公，说：“这些东西的主人使我怀了孕，请你看这印、印带和杖是谁的？” 26 犹大认出是自己的东西，就说：“她比我更有理，因为我没有让示拉娶她。”犹大没有再与她睡觉。
27 她玛临产的时候，才知道腹中是一对双胞胎。 28 生产的时候，一个婴儿先伸出手来，接生婆就把一条红线系在他的手上，说：“他是先出生的。” 29 可是那婴儿随后却把手缩回去，另一个婴儿先出生了，接生婆说：“你怎么抢先出来了？”因此，他的名字叫法勒斯[a]。 30 后来，那个手上系有红线的孩子也出生了，给他取名叫谢拉[b]。
约瑟遭陷害
39 约瑟被以实玛利商人带到埃及，卖给了法老的内臣护卫长波提乏。 2 约瑟住在他的埃及主人家中，耶和华与他同在，使他凡事亨通。 3 他主人看出耶和华与他同在，使他凡事亨通， 4 就赏识他，让他服侍自己，派他管理自己家中一切事务。 5 自从埃及人波提乏派约瑟管理自己家中一切事务以后，耶和华因为约瑟的缘故而赐福他主人家，使他主人家里和田间的一切都蒙福。 6 于是，波提乏把一切事都交给约瑟管理，除了自己要吃的食物以外，什么也不管。
约瑟体格健壮，相貌英俊。 7 后来，波提乏的妻子看中了约瑟，向他眉目传情，要引诱他上床。 8 约瑟拒绝了她，说：“我主人信任我，把家里一切事都交给我管理。 9 在这家里，没有人比我权力更大了，我主人把一切都交给了我，唯独你除外，因为你是他的妻子。我怎能做这种丑事得罪上帝呢？” 10 但她还是每天勾引约瑟，约瑟不从，并尽量避开她。
11 一天，约瑟进屋里办事，那时屋里没有其他人。 12 波提乏的妻子抓住约瑟的外衣，硬要与他上床。约瑟丢下外衣摆脱她逃了出去。 13 她见约瑟丢下外衣逃了出去， 14 就叫来家里的人，对他们说：“你们看，我丈夫带回家的这个希伯来人戏弄我们！他进来要与我上床，我就大声呼喊， 15 他听见我大声喊叫，就把衣服丢在我这里，逃了出去。” 16 她把约瑟的外衣留在身边，等她丈夫回来后， 17 就对他说：“你带回来的那个希伯来人进来要戏弄我， 18 我大声喊叫，他就把衣服丢在我这里，逃了出去。”
19 波提乏听了妻子讲述约瑟如何对待她之后，勃然大怒， 20 把约瑟关进王囚禁犯人的监牢。 21 约瑟坐牢的时候，耶和华与他同在，恩待他，使监狱长赏识他。 22 监狱长把狱中所有囚犯及一切事务都交给约瑟管理。 23 凡交到约瑟手中的事情，监狱长都很放心，因为耶和华与约瑟同在，使他凡事亨通。
约瑟解梦
40 后来，埃及王的侍酒总管和膳食总管得罪了王， 2 王非常愤怒， 3 把他们囚禁在护卫长波提乏府内的监牢里，也就是约瑟被囚的地方。 4 护卫长派约瑟去伺候他们。他们在监里待了一段日子。
5 一天晚上，他们俩都做了梦，他们的梦各有不同的意思。 6 第二天早上，约瑟过来见他们神情沮丧， 7 就问：“你们今天为什么满面愁容？” 8 他们回答说：“我们都做了梦，可是没有人给我们解梦。”约瑟说：“解梦的能力不是来自上帝吗？请你们把梦告诉我。”
9 侍酒总管便把自己的梦告诉约瑟，说：“我梦见一棵葡萄树， 10 树上有三根枝子，枝子发芽开花，结满了成熟的葡萄。 11 我手上拿着法老的酒杯，摘下葡萄，把汁挤在酒杯中，然后递给法老。” 12 约瑟说：“这梦的意思是，三根枝子代表三天， 13 三天之内，法老必定释放你，恢复你侍酒总管的职位。你仍要和从前一样伺候法老饮酒。 14 当你再被重用的时候，请你记得恩待我，在法老面前提及我，救我出狱。 15 我是从希伯来人那里被拐来的，无辜被囚在监。”
16 膳食总管见梦解得好，就对约瑟说：“我也做了个梦，我梦见自己头上顶着三筐白饼， 17 最上面的一筐里放着为法老烤制的各种食物，有鸟来吃筐内的食物。” 18 约瑟说：“这梦的意思是，三筐就是三天， 19 三天之内，法老必砍下你的头，把你挂在木头上，鸟要来吃你的肉。”
20 第三天是法老的生日，他宴请文武百官，把侍酒总管和膳食总管从监牢里提出来， 21 恢复了侍酒总管的职位，让他仍旧伺候自己饮酒， 22 却处死了膳食总管，正应验了约瑟的话。 23 然而，法老的侍酒总管把约瑟忘了。
约瑟为法老解梦
41 两年后，法老做了个梦，梦见自己站在尼罗河边， 2 有七头肥美、健壮的母牛从河里上来，在芦苇丛中吃草。 3 随后又有七头丑陋、瘦弱的母牛从河里上来，与那七头母牛一同站在河边。 4 后来，七头丑陋、瘦弱的母牛吃掉了七头肥美、健壮的母牛。这时，法老醒了过来。
5 之后，他又睡着了，又做了个梦。他梦见一株麦子上长了七个饱满的穗子。 6 后来这株麦子上面又长了七个干瘪的穗子，它们被东风吹干了。 7 七个干瘪的穗子吞食了七个饱满的穗子。法老醒过来，原来是一场梦。
8 早上法老心中不安，就派人召来埃及所有的术士和博学之士，把梦告诉他们，可是没有一个人能为他解梦。
9 后来，侍酒总管对法老说：“我今天才想起我的罪过。 10 我从前和膳食总管惹王生气，被王囚禁在护卫长府内的牢里。 11 一天晚上，我俩都做了梦。 12 当时有一个希伯来青年跟我们一起被囚在牢里，他是护卫长的仆人。我们把梦告诉他，他就分别为我们解梦。 13 后来，他为我们解的梦都应验了，我恢复了原职，膳食总管被挂在木头上处死了。”
14 于是，法老派人去召约瑟，他们急忙释放约瑟。约瑟剃头刮脸，更换衣服，去见法老。 15 法老对约瑟说：“我做了一个梦，没有人能为我解梦。我听说你能解梦。” 16 约瑟回答说：“我自己不会解梦，但上帝却能给王圆满的解释。”
17 法老对约瑟说：“我梦见自己站在尼罗河边， 18 有七头肥美、健壮的母牛从河里上来，在芦苇丛中吃草。 19 随后又有七头丑陋、瘦弱的母牛从河里上来，我在埃及从来没有见过有这么丑陋的牛。 20 这些丑陋、瘦弱的母牛吃掉先前的七头肥母牛。 21 可是，它们吃了以后却仍然像以前那么丑陋。这时，我就醒了。 22 后来我又梦见一株麦子，上面长了七个饱满的穗子， 23 接着又长出七个干瘪的穗子， 24 这些干瘪的穗子吞了那七个饱满的穗子。我把梦告诉了术士，却没有人能为我解梦。”
25 约瑟对法老说：“王的梦都是同一个意思，上帝已经借着梦把祂将要做的事指示王了。 26 七头肥美的母牛和七个饱满的穗子都代表七年，是同样的意思。 27 七头瘦弱、丑陋的母牛和七个干瘪、被东风吹干的穗子也代表七年，是七年饥荒。 28 正如我刚才说的，上帝已经把祂将要做的事向王显明了。 29 埃及全境很快会有七年大丰收， 30 随后是七年饥荒肆虐全国，之前的丰收将被忘记。 31 饥荒将非常严重，之前的丰收将荡然无存。 32 王的梦出现了两次，表示上帝的心意已定，上帝必很快成就这事。 33 王应该选一个精明的人，派他治理埃及。 34 王也应该在各地委派官员，在七年丰收期内征收全国出产的五分之一， 35 把在丰年收集的粮食储存在各城，归王管理。 36 这些粮食要留到七年饥荒时用，免得这片土地被饥荒毁灭。”
约瑟做埃及宰相
37 法老和他所有的臣仆都赞同约瑟的建议。 38 法老对臣仆说：“我们哪里找像这样有上帝的灵同在的人呢？” 39 法老对约瑟说：“上帝既然把梦的意思指示给你，可见没人有你这样的见识和智慧。 40 我要派你管理我家，我的人民都要遵从你的命令，只有我权力比你大。” 41 法老又说：“我现在派你治理埃及全国。” 42 于是，法老摘下手上用来盖印的戒指，戴在约瑟的手上，给他穿上细麻袍，把金链戴在他颈上， 43 让他坐在自己的第二辆御车上，并有人在御车前高呼：“跪下！”这样，法老派约瑟治理整个埃及。 44 法老对约瑟说：“我是法老，但没有你的命令，埃及的任何人都不得擅自行事。” 45 法老赐给约瑟一个名字叫撒发那忒·巴内亚，又把安城祭司波提非拉的女儿亚西纳赐给他为妻。约瑟巡视了整个埃及。
46 约瑟三十岁开始为法老效劳，他离开法老去巡视埃及各地。 47 七个丰年之内，埃及粮食大丰收， 48 约瑟收集七个丰年出产的所有粮食，储藏进各城，每一座城附近出产的粮食都存放在本城。 49 约瑟积存了大量五谷，多如海沙，不可胜数。
50 荒年到来前，安城祭司波提非拉的女儿亚西纳给约瑟生了两个儿子。 51 约瑟给长子取名叫玛拿西，因为他说：“上帝使我忘记一切的困苦和我父亲家。” 52 约瑟给次子取名叫以法莲，因为他说：“上帝使我在受苦之地昌盛。”
53 七个丰年结束后， 54 七个荒年接踵而至，正如约瑟所言。各地都有饥荒，只有埃及全国有粮食。 55 后来，埃及全国也闹饥荒，百姓就向法老求粮，法老对他们说：“你们去找约瑟吧，要照他的吩咐做。”
56 饥荒蔓延到整个埃及时，约瑟便开仓卖粮给埃及人。那时，埃及的饥荒非常严重。 57 各国的人都到埃及来向约瑟买粮，因为天下到处都是大饥荒。
约瑟的哥哥们到埃及买粮
42 雅各知道埃及有粮食，就对儿子们说：“你们为什么还在这儿互相观望呢？ 2 我听说埃及有粮食，你们快到埃及去买些粮食回来吧，免得我们饿死。” 3 于是，约瑟的十个哥哥下到埃及买粮。 4 雅各不肯让约瑟的弟弟便雅悯与他们同去，恐怕他会遭害。 5 以色列的儿子们加入了买粮的行列，因为迦南也闹饥荒。
6 那时，约瑟治理埃及，负责卖粮。约瑟的哥哥们来到他面前，向他俯伏下拜。 7 约瑟一眼就认出了他们，却不动声色。他疾言厉色地问道：“你们从哪里来？”他们回答说：“我们是从迦南来买粮食的。” 8 约瑟认得他哥哥们，但他哥哥们却认不出他来。 9 约瑟想起了自己从前做的两个梦，就对他们说：“你们是奸细，是来探听我们虚实的！” 10 他们说：“我主啊，不是的！仆人们是来买粮的。 11 仆人们都是弟兄，是诚实人，不是奸细。”
12 约瑟说：“不对，你们是来探听我们虚实的。” 13 他们说：“仆人们共有弟兄十二人，父亲住在迦南，最年幼的弟弟留在父亲身边，还有一个已经去世。” 14 约瑟说：“我说你们是奸细一点不错。 15 我以法老的性命起誓，你们最小的弟弟不来这里，你们都不能走，这是对你们的验证。 16 你们派一个人回去把你们的弟弟带来，其他人都要被囚禁在这里，我要看看你们说的是真还是假。要是你们说的是假话，我以法老的性命起誓，你们一定是奸细。” 17 于是，约瑟把他们囚禁了三天。
18 到了第三天，约瑟对他们说：“我是敬畏上帝的人，你们照我的话做就能活命。 19 如果你们是诚实人，就把一个人留在监里，其他人带粮食回去接济你们的家人。 20 但你们一定要带你们最小的弟弟回来，以证实你们说的是实话，这样你们就不会被处死。”他们同意了， 21 彼此议论说：“我们一定是在遭报应。从前我们的弟弟苦苦地哀求我们，我们却不理会，现在这场痛苦临到我们了。” 22 吕便说：“我不是劝你们不要犯罪害那孩子吗？你们不听，现在我们必须偿还血债了。” 23 他们不知道约瑟听得懂他们的话，因为约瑟是通过翻译跟他们谈话。 24 约瑟听后转身出去哭了，然后又回来跟他们谈话，从他们中间选了西缅，当着他们的面把西缅捆绑起来。
25 约瑟又吩咐人把他们的袋子装满粮食，把各人买粮的钱放在他们的口袋中，还为他们预备了路上的食物。仆人一一办妥了。 26 约瑟的哥哥们把粮食驮在驴上，启程回去了。 27 他们来到一处住宿的地方，其中一人打开口袋拿饲料喂驴，却发现里面有钱， 28 就对其他弟兄说：“你们看，我的钱又回来了，在我的口袋里！”他们心惊胆战地彼此议论说：“上帝这样对待我们是什么意思呢？”
29 他们回到迦南父亲雅各那里，把事情的经过告诉了他， 30 说：“埃及的宰相对我们说话很凶，还把我们当成奸细。 31 我们对他说，‘我们是诚实人，不是奸细。 32 我们有十二个同胞弟兄，其中有一个已经去世，年纪最小的跟父亲留在迦南。’ 33 那人却对我们说，‘我要看看你们是不是诚实人，你们把一个弟兄留在我这里，其他人带粮食回去接济家人吧。 34 但你们要把最小的弟弟带来见我，这样我便知道你们不是奸细，是诚实人。我就会释放你们的弟兄，你们也可以在这里自由地买卖。’”
35 后来他们倒口袋时，发现每个人买粮的钱袋都在自己的口袋里，他们和父亲见此情形，都害怕起来。 36 雅各说：“你们使我连连失去儿子，约瑟没了，西缅没了，你们还要带走便雅悯！灾祸都落在了我头上！” 37 吕便对父亲说：“要是我不把便雅悯带回你身边，你就杀了我的两个儿子吧！请你把便雅悯放心地交给我，我一定会把他带回你身边。” 38 雅各说：“我的儿子不可跟你们去。他哥哥已经死了，现在只剩下他。要是他在路上遇到什么意外，你们会使我这白发苍苍的老人凄凄惨惨地进坟墓。”
约瑟的哥哥们再下埃及
43 那地方的饥荒仍然非常严重， 2 他们从埃及带回来的粮食吃完了，他们的父亲对他们说：“你们再去买些粮食吧。” 3 犹大说：“那人严厉地警告我们，‘不把你们的弟弟带来，你们就不要再来见我。’ 4 你若让便雅悯跟我们同去，我们就去给你买粮。 5 你若不让便雅悯跟我们同去，我们就不去给你买粮。因为那人说，‘你们不把弟弟带来，就不要再来见我。’”
6 以色列说：“你们为什么告诉他你们还有一个弟弟，给我惹麻烦呢？” 7 他们回答说：“那人详细询问我们和我们家人的情况，问我们的父亲是否在世，还有没有弟兄。我们如实回答，怎会想到他非要我们把弟弟带去呢？”
8 犹大对父亲以色列说：“你就让便雅悯跟我同去吧，我们好立刻动身，这样我们一家老小才能保住性命，不致饿死。 9 我亲自保证便雅悯的安全，你可以向我要人。我若不把他带回来见你，情愿一生担罪。 10 我们若是没有耽搁的话，现在已经往返两趟了。”
11 他们的父亲以色列说：“事到如今，只好这样了。你们带一些上好的乳香、蜂蜜、香料、没药、榧子和杏仁等土产，去送给那人作礼物吧。 12 你们还要带双倍的钱，好归还上次留在你们口袋中的钱，那可能是弄错了。 13 带你们的弟弟去见那人吧！ 14 愿全能的上帝叫那人怜悯你们，让西缅和便雅悯回来。我若丧子就丧子吧！”
15 于是，他们就带着便雅悯、礼物和双倍的钱去埃及见约瑟。 16 约瑟看见便雅悯和他们同来，就对管家说：“你带他们到我家里去，宰杀牲畜，预备宴席，中午他们要跟我一起吃饭。” 17 管家照约瑟的吩咐，带他们到约瑟家里。 18 他们被带到约瑟家后非常害怕，说：“他把我们带到这里来，一定跟上次放在我们口袋中的钱有关。他想害我们，强迫我们做他的奴仆，抢我们的驴。”
19 他们走到约瑟的管家跟前，在房门口对他说： 20 “先生，我们上次曾来这里买粮。 21 但在回家的途中住宿时，我们打开口袋，发现我们带来买粮的钱分毫不少地放在那里。我们把这些钱带回来了， 22 又另外带了一些钱来买粮。我们不知道谁把买粮的钱放进了我们的口袋。”
23 管家说：“你们放心，不要害怕，你们口袋里那些钱是你们的上帝，你们父亲的上帝赐给你们的。我已经收了你们买粮的钱。”说完就把西缅带出来和他们见面， 24 接着带他们进约瑟的家，给他们水洗脚，给他们的驴喂草料。 25 他们知道要在那里吃午餐，就预备好礼物，等约瑟中午回来。
26 约瑟来了，他们就把带来的礼物献给他，向他俯伏下拜。 27 约瑟向他们问好，然后说：“你们提起过你们的老父亲，他还健在、安康吗？” 28 他们回答说：“你仆人——我们的父亲仍然健在、安康。”说完了，又向他下拜。 29 约瑟抬头看见了自己的同胞弟弟便雅悯，就问道：“这就是你们所说那位最小的弟弟吗？”他又对便雅悯说：“孩子，愿上帝施恩给你。” 30 约瑟爱弟之心油然而生，急忙出去找哭的地方。他到自己的房间里哭了一场。
31 他洗过脸出来，控制着自己的感情，吩咐人摆饭。 32 约瑟自己一桌，他的弟兄们一桌，那些和他们一起吃饭的埃及人一桌，因为埃及人厌恶和希伯来人同席。 33 约瑟让他的弟兄们在他对面按照长幼次序坐，他们面面相觑，非常惊讶。 34 约瑟吩咐人把自己面前的菜肴分给他们，便雅悯得的那份比其他弟兄多五倍。他们尽情地和约瑟一同吃喝。
约瑟试验弟兄
44 约瑟吩咐管家说：“给他们的口袋装满粮食，他们能带多少就装多少，把各人的钱放回他们的口袋中， 2 再把我的银杯和买粮的钱一起放在最小的兄弟的口袋中。”管家一一办妥了。
3 第二天清早，他们就牵着驴离开了。 4 他们出城不久，约瑟对管家说：“你快去追他们，追上了就对他们说，‘你们为什么以恶报善？ 5 为什么偷我主人用来喝酒和占卜的银杯？你们这是作恶！’”
6 于是，管家追上他们，按约瑟的话问他们。 7 他们回答说：“我主为什么这样说？我们绝不会做这种事。 8 你看，我们把上次在口袋里发现的钱都从迦南带回来还你了，又怎么会偷你主人家的金银呢？ 9 你若在仆人中任何人身上搜到银杯，他就要死！我们也要做我主的奴仆。”
10 管家说：“好，就照你们的话做吧！银杯从谁那里搜出来，谁就做我的奴仆，其他人都没有罪。”
Genesis 37:2-44:10
New International Version
Genesis 37:2-44:10
New International Version
2 This is the account(A) of Jacob’s family line.
Joseph,(B) a young man of seventeen,(C) was tending the flocks(D) with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah(E) and the sons of Zilpah,(F) his father’s wives, and he brought their father a bad report(G) about them.
3 Now Israel(H) loved Joseph more than any of his other sons,(I) because he had been born to him in his old age;(J) and he made an ornate[a] robe(K) for him.(L) 4 When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him(M) and could not speak a kind word to him.
5 Joseph had a dream,(N) and when he told it to his brothers,(O) they hated him all the more.(P) 6 He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: 7 We were binding sheaves(Q) of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.”(R)
8 His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?”(S) And they hated him all the more(T) because of his dream and what he had said.
9 Then he had another dream,(U) and he told it to his brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars(V) were bowing down to me.”(W)
10 When he told his father as well as his brothers,(X) his father rebuked(Y) him and said, “What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?”(Z) 11 His brothers were jealous of him,(AA) but his father kept the matter in mind.(AB)
Joseph Sold by His Brothers
12 Now his brothers had gone to graze their father’s flocks near Shechem,(AC) 13 and Israel(AD) said to Joseph, “As you know, your brothers are grazing the flocks near Shechem.(AE) Come, I am going to send you to them.”
“Very well,” he replied.
14 So he said to him, “Go and see if all is well with your brothers(AF) and with the flocks, and bring word back to me.” Then he sent him off from the Valley of Hebron.(AG)
When Joseph arrived at Shechem, 15 a man found him wandering around in the fields and asked him, “What are you looking for?”
16 He replied, “I’m looking for my brothers. Can you tell me where they are grazing their flocks?”
17 “They have moved on from here,” the man answered. “I heard them say, ‘Let’s go to Dothan.(AH)’”
So Joseph went after his brothers and found them near Dothan. 18 But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him.(AI)
19 “Here comes that dreamer!(AJ)” they said to each other. 20 “Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns(AK) and say that a ferocious animal(AL) devoured him.(AM) Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.”(AN)
21 When Reuben(AO) heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. “Let’s not take his life,” he said.(AP) 22 “Don’t shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern(AQ) here in the wilderness, but don’t lay a hand on him.” Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father.(AR)
23 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the ornate robe(AS) he was wearing— 24 and they took him and threw him into the cistern.(AT) The cistern was empty; there was no water in it.
25 As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites(AU) coming from Gilead.(AV) Their camels were loaded with spices, balm(AW) and myrrh,(AX) and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt.(AY)
26 Judah(AZ) said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood?(BA) 27 Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother,(BB) our own flesh and blood.(BC)” His brothers agreed.
28 So when the Midianite(BD) merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern(BE) and sold(BF) him for twenty shekels[b] of silver(BG) to the Ishmaelites,(BH) who took him to Egypt.(BI)
29 When Reuben returned to the cistern and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes.(BJ) 30 He went back to his brothers and said, “The boy isn’t there! Where can I turn now?”(BK)
31 Then they got Joseph’s robe,(BL) slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood.(BM) 32 They took the ornate robe(BN) back to their father and said, “We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son’s robe.”
33 He recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe! Some ferocious animal(BO) has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces.”(BP)
34 Then Jacob tore his clothes,(BQ) put on sackcloth(BR) and mourned for his son many days.(BS) 35 All his sons and daughters came to comfort him,(BT) but he refused to be comforted.(BU) “No,” he said, “I will continue to mourn until I join my son(BV) in the grave.(BW)” So his father wept for him.
36 Meanwhile, the Midianites[c](BX) sold Joseph(BY) in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard.(BZ)
Judah and Tamar
38 At that time, Judah(CA) left his brothers and went down to stay with a man of Adullam(CB) named Hirah.(CC) 2 There Judah met the daughter of a Canaanite man named Shua.(CD) He married her and made love to her; 3 she became pregnant and gave birth to a son, who was named Er.(CE) 4 She conceived again and gave birth to a son and named him Onan.(CF) 5 She gave birth to still another son and named him Shelah.(CG) It was at Kezib that she gave birth to him.
6 Judah got a wife for Er, his firstborn, and her name was Tamar.(CH) 7 But Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the Lord’s sight;(CI) so the Lord put him to death.(CJ)
8 Then Judah said to Onan, “Sleep with your brother’s wife and fulfill your duty to her as a brother-in-law to raise up offspring for your brother.”(CK) 9 But Onan knew that the child would not be his; so whenever he slept with his brother’s wife, he spilled his semen on the ground to keep from providing offspring for his brother. 10 What he did was wicked in the Lord’s sight; so the Lord put him to death also.(CL)
11 Judah then said to his daughter-in-law(CM) Tamar,(CN) “Live as a widow in your father’s household(CO) until my son Shelah(CP) grows up.”(CQ) For he thought, “He may die too, just like his brothers.” So Tamar went to live in her father’s household.
12 After a long time Judah’s wife, the daughter of Shua,(CR) died. When Judah had recovered from his grief, he went up to Timnah,(CS) to the men who were shearing his sheep,(CT) and his friend Hirah the Adullamite(CU) went with him.
13 When Tamar(CV) was told, “Your father-in-law is on his way to Timnah to shear his sheep,”(CW) 14 she took off her widow’s clothes,(CX) covered herself with a veil(CY) to disguise herself, and then sat down(CZ) at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah.(DA) For she saw that, though Shelah(DB) had now grown up, she had not been given to him as his wife.
15 When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute,(DC) for she had covered her face. 16 Not realizing(DD) that she was his daughter-in-law,(DE) he went over to her by the roadside and said, “Come now, let me sleep with you.”(DF)
“And what will you give me to sleep with you?”(DG) she asked.
17 “I’ll send you a young goat(DH) from my flock,” he said.
“Will you give me something as a pledge(DI) until you send it?” she asked.
18 He said, “What pledge should I give you?”
“Your seal(DJ) and its cord, and the staff(DK) in your hand,” she answered. So he gave them to her and slept with her, and she became pregnant by him.(DL) 19 After she left, she took off her veil and put on her widow’s clothes(DM) again.
20 Meanwhile Judah sent the young goat by his friend the Adullamite(DN) in order to get his pledge(DO) back from the woman, but he did not find her. 21 He asked the men who lived there, “Where is the shrine prostitute(DP) who was beside the road at Enaim?”
“There hasn’t been any shrine prostitute here,” they said.
22 So he went back to Judah and said, “I didn’t find her. Besides, the men who lived there said, ‘There hasn’t been any shrine prostitute here.’”
23 Then Judah said, “Let her keep what she has,(DQ) or we will become a laughingstock.(DR) After all, I did send her this young goat, but you didn’t find her.”
24 About three months later Judah was told, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar is guilty of prostitution, and as a result she is now pregnant.”
Judah said, “Bring her out and have her burned to death!”(DS)
25 As she was being brought out, she sent a message to her father-in-law. “I am pregnant by the man who owns these,” she said. And she added, “See if you recognize whose seal and cord and staff these are.”(DT)
26 Judah recognized them and said, “She is more righteous than I,(DU) since I wouldn’t give her to my son Shelah.(DV)” And he did not sleep with her again.
27 When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb.(DW) 28 As she was giving birth, one of them put out his hand; so the midwife(DX) took a scarlet thread and tied it on his wrist(DY) and said, “This one came out first.” 29 But when he drew back his hand, his brother came out,(DZ) and she said, “So this is how you have broken out!” And he was named Perez.[d](EA) 30 Then his brother, who had the scarlet thread on his wrist,(EB) came out. And he was named Zerah.[e](EC)
Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife
39 Now Joseph(ED) had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard,(EE) bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there.(EF)
2 The Lord was with Joseph(EG) so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 When his master saw that the Lord was with him(EH) and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did,(EI) 4 Joseph found favor in his eyes(EJ) and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household,(EK) and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.(EL) 5 From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the Lord blessed the household(EM) of the Egyptian because of Joseph.(EN) The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field.(EO) 6 So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care;(EP) with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate.
Now Joseph was well-built and handsome,(EQ) 7 and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!”(ER)
8 But he refused.(ES) “With me in charge,” he told her, “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care.(ET) 9 No one is greater in this house than I am.(EU) My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”(EV) 10 And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused(EW) to go to bed with her or even be with her.
11 One day he went into the house to attend to his duties,(EX) and none of the household servants(EY) was inside. 12 She caught him by his cloak(EZ) and said, “Come to bed with me!”(FA) But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.(FB)
13 When she saw that he had left his cloak in her hand and had run out of the house, 14 she called her household servants.(FC) “Look,” she said to them, “this Hebrew(FD) has been brought to us to make sport of us!(FE) He came in here to sleep with me, but I screamed.(FF) 15 When he heard me scream for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.”(FG)
16 She kept his cloak beside her until his master came home. 17 Then she told him this story:(FH) “That Hebrew(FI) slave(FJ) you brought us came to me to make sport of me. 18 But as soon as I screamed for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.”
19 When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, “This is how your slave treated me,” he burned with anger.(FK) 20 Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison,(FL) the place where the king’s prisoners were confined.
But while Joseph was there in the prison, 21 the Lord was with him;(FM) he showed him kindness(FN) and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.(FO) 22 So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there.(FP) 23 The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s(FQ) care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.(FR)
The Cupbearer and the Baker
40 Some time later, the cupbearer(FS) and the baker(FT) of the king of Egypt offended their master, the king of Egypt. 2 Pharaoh was angry(FU) with his two officials,(FV) the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, 3 and put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard,(FW) in the same prison where Joseph was confined. 4 The captain of the guard(FX) assigned them to Joseph,(FY) and he attended them.
After they had been in custody(FZ) for some time, 5 each of the two men—the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were being held in prison—had a dream(GA) the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own.(GB)
6 When Joseph came to them the next morning, he saw that they were dejected. 7 So he asked Pharaoh’s officials who were in custody(GC) with him in his master’s house, “Why do you look so sad today?”(GD)
8 “We both had dreams,” they answered, “but there is no one to interpret them.”(GE)
Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God?(GF) Tell me your dreams.”
9 So the chief cupbearer(GG) told Joseph his dream. He said to him, “In my dream I saw a vine in front of me, 10 and on the vine were three branches. As soon as it budded, it blossomed,(GH) and its clusters ripened into grapes. 11 Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes, squeezed them into Pharaoh’s cup and put the cup in his hand.”
12 “This is what it means,(GI)” Joseph said to him. “The three branches are three days.(GJ) 13 Within three days(GK) Pharaoh will lift up your head(GL) and restore you to your position, and you will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand, just as you used to do when you were his cupbearer.(GM) 14 But when all goes well with you, remember me(GN) and show me kindness;(GO) mention me to Pharaoh(GP) and get me out of this prison. 15 I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews,(GQ) and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.”(GR)
16 When the chief baker(GS) saw that Joseph had given a favorable interpretation,(GT) he said to Joseph, “I too had a dream: On my head were three baskets(GU) of bread.[f] 17 In the top basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head.”
18 “This is what it means,” Joseph said. “The three baskets are three days.(GV) 19 Within three days(GW) Pharaoh will lift off your head(GX) and impale your body on a pole.(GY) And the birds will eat away your flesh.”(GZ)
20 Now the third day(HA) was Pharaoh’s birthday,(HB) and he gave a feast for all his officials.(HC) He lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker(HD) in the presence of his officials: 21 He restored the chief cupbearer(HE) to his position,(HF) so that he once again put the cup into Pharaoh’s hand(HG)— 22 but he impaled the chief baker,(HH) just as Joseph had said to them in his interpretation.(HI)
23 The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.(HJ)
Pharaoh’s Dreams
41 When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream:(HK) He was standing by the Nile,(HL) 2 when out of the river there came up seven cows, sleek and fat,(HM) and they grazed among the reeds.(HN) 3 After them, seven other cows, ugly and gaunt, came up out of the Nile and stood beside those on the riverbank. 4 And the cows that were ugly and gaunt ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up.(HO)
5 He fell asleep again and had a second dream: Seven heads of grain,(HP) healthy and good, were growing on a single stalk. 6 After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted—thin and scorched by the east wind.(HQ) 7 The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads. Then Pharaoh woke up;(HR) it had been a dream.
8 In the morning his mind was troubled,(HS) so he sent for all the magicians(HT) and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him.(HU)
9 Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “Today I am reminded of my shortcomings.(HV) 10 Pharaoh was once angry with his servants,(HW) and he imprisoned me and the chief baker in the house of the captain of the guard.(HX) 11 Each of us had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own.(HY) 12 Now a young Hebrew(HZ) was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard.(IA) We told him our dreams, and he interpreted them for us, giving each man the interpretation of his dream.(IB) 13 And things turned out exactly as he interpreted them to us: I was restored to my position, and the other man was impaled.(IC)”
14 So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon.(ID) When he had shaved(IE) and changed his clothes,(IF) he came before Pharaoh.
15 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it.(IG) But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”(IH)
16 “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”(II)
17 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile,(IJ) 18 when out of the river there came up seven cows, fat and sleek, and they grazed among the reeds.(IK) 19 After them, seven other cows came up—scrawny and very ugly and lean. I had never seen such ugly cows in all the land of Egypt. 20 The lean, ugly cows ate up the seven fat cows that came up first. 21 But even after they ate them, no one could tell that they had done so; they looked just as ugly as before. Then I woke up.
22 “In my dream I saw seven heads of grain, full and good, growing on a single stalk. 23 After them, seven other heads sprouted—withered and thin and scorched by the east wind. 24 The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven good heads. I told this to the magicians, but none of them could explain it to me.(IL)”
25 Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same.(IM) God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do.(IN) 26 The seven good cows(IO) are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream. 27 The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind: They are seven years of famine.(IP)
28 “It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do.(IQ) 29 Seven years of great abundance(IR) are coming throughout the land of Egypt, 30 but seven years of famine(IS) will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land.(IT) 31 The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe. 32 The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided(IU) by God, and God will do it soon.(IV)
33 “And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man(IW) and put him in charge of the land of Egypt.(IX) 34 Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners(IY) over the land to take a fifth(IZ) of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance.(JA) 35 They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food.(JB) 36 This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt,(JC) so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.”
37 The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials.(JD) 38 So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God[g]?”(JE)
39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you,(JF) there is no one so discerning and wise as you.(JG) 40 You shall be in charge of my palace,(JH) and all my people are to submit to your orders.(JI) Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.(JJ)”
Joseph in Charge of Egypt
41 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.”(JK) 42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring(JL) from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes(JM) of fine linen(JN) and put a gold chain around his neck.(JO) 43 He had him ride in a chariot(JP) as his second-in-command,[h](JQ) and people shouted before him, “Make way[i]!”(JR) Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt.(JS)
44 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, but without your word no one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt.”(JT) 45 Pharaoh gave Joseph(JU) the name Zaphenath-Paneah and gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest(JV) of On,[j](JW) to be his wife.(JX) And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt.
46 Joseph was thirty years old(JY) when he entered the service(JZ) of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from Pharaoh’s presence and traveled throughout Egypt. 47 During the seven years of abundance(KA) the land produced plentifully. 48 Joseph collected all the food produced in those seven years of abundance in Egypt and stored it in the cities.(KB) In each city he put the food grown in the fields surrounding it. 49 Joseph stored up huge quantities of grain, like the sand of the sea;(KC) it was so much that he stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure.
50 Before the years of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On.(KD) 51 Joseph named his firstborn(KE) Manasseh[k](KF) and said, “It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” 52 The second son he named Ephraim[l](KG) and said, “It is because God has made me fruitful(KH) in the land of my suffering.”
53 The seven years of abundance in Egypt came to an end, 54 and the seven years of famine(KI) began,(KJ) just as Joseph had said. There was famine in all the other lands, but in the whole land of Egypt there was food. 55 When all Egypt began to feel the famine,(KK) the people cried to Pharaoh for food. Then Pharaoh told all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph and do what he tells you.”(KL)
56 When the famine had spread over the whole country, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians,(KM) for the famine(KN) was severe throughout Egypt.(KO) 57 And all the world came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph,(KP) because the famine was severe everywhere.(KQ)
Joseph’s Brothers Go to Egypt
42 When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt,(KR) he said to his sons, “Why do you just keep looking at each other?” 2 He continued, “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us,(KS) so that we may live and not die.”(KT)
3 Then ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain(KU) from Egypt. 4 But Jacob did not send Benjamin,(KV) Joseph’s brother, with the others, because he was afraid that harm might come to him.(KW) 5 So Israel’s sons were among those who went to buy grain,(KX) for there was famine in the land of Canaan(KY) also.(KZ)
6 Now Joseph was the governor of the land,(LA) the person who sold grain to all its people.(LB) So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground.(LC) 7 As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them.(LD) “Where do you come from?”(LE) he asked.
“From the land of Canaan,” they replied, “to buy food.”
8 Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him.(LF) 9 Then he remembered his dreams(LG) about them and said to them, “You are spies!(LH) You have come to see where our land is unprotected.”(LI)
10 “No, my lord,(LJ)” they answered. “Your servants have come to buy food.(LK) 11 We are all the sons of one man. Your servants(LL) are honest men,(LM) not spies.(LN)”
12 “No!” he said to them. “You have come to see where our land is unprotected.”(LO)
13 But they replied, “Your servants(LP) were twelve brothers, the sons of one man, who lives in the land of Canaan.(LQ) The youngest is now with our father, and one is no more.”(LR)
14 Joseph said to them, “It is just as I told you: You are spies!(LS) 15 And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives,(LT) you will not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here.(LU) 16 Send one of your number to get your brother;(LV) the rest of you will be kept in prison,(LW) so that your words may be tested to see if you are telling the truth.(LX) If you are not, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!(LY)” 17 And he put them all in custody(LZ) for three days.
18 On the third day, Joseph said to them, “Do this and you will live, for I fear God:(MA) 19 If you are honest men,(MB) let one of your brothers stay here in prison,(MC) while the rest of you go and take grain back for your starving households.(MD) 20 But you must bring your youngest brother to me,(ME) so that your words may be verified and that you may not die.” This they proceeded to do.
21 They said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother.(MF) We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress(MG) has come on us.”
22 Reuben replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy?(MH) But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting(MI) for his blood.”(MJ) 23 They did not realize(MK) that Joseph could understand them,(ML) since he was using an interpreter.
24 He turned away from them and began to weep,(MM) but then came back and spoke to them again. He had Simeon taken from them and bound before their eyes.(MN)
25 Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain,(MO) to put each man’s silver back in his sack,(MP) and to give them provisions(MQ) for their journey.(MR) After this was done for them, 26 they loaded their grain on their donkeys(MS) and left.
27 At the place where they stopped for the night one of them opened his sack to get feed for his donkey,(MT) and he saw his silver in the mouth of his sack.(MU) 28 “My silver has been returned,” he said to his brothers. “Here it is in my sack.”
Their hearts sank(MV) and they turned to each other trembling(MW) and said, “What is this that God has done to us?”(MX)
29 When they came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan,(MY) they told him all that had happened to them.(MZ) They said, 30 “The man who is lord over the land spoke harshly to us(NA) and treated us as though we were spying on the land.(NB) 31 But we said to him, ‘We are honest men; we are not spies.(NC) 32 We were twelve brothers, sons of one father. One is no more, and the youngest is now with our father in Canaan.’(ND)
33 “Then the man who is lord over the land said to us, ‘This is how I will know whether you are honest men: Leave one of your brothers here with me, and take food for your starving households and go.(NE) 34 But bring your youngest brother to me so I will know that you are not spies but honest men.(NF) Then I will give your brother back to you,(NG) and you can trade[m] in the land.(NH)’”
35 As they were emptying their sacks, there in each man’s sack was his pouch of silver!(NI) When they and their father saw the money pouches, they were frightened.(NJ) 36 Their father Jacob said to them, “You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more,(NK) and now you want to take Benjamin.(NL) Everything is against me!(NM)”
37 Then Reuben said to his father, “You may put both of my sons to death if I do not bring him back to you. Entrust him to my care,(NN) and I will bring him back.”(NO)
38 But Jacob said, “My son will not go down there with you; his brother is dead(NP) and he is the only one left. If harm comes to him(NQ) on the journey you are taking, you will bring my gray head down to the grave(NR) in sorrow.(NS)”
The Second Journey to Egypt
43 Now the famine was still severe in the land.(NT) 2 So when they had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt,(NU) their father said to them, “Go back and buy us a little more food.”(NV)
3 But Judah(NW) said to him, “The man warned us solemnly, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’(NX) 4 If you will send our brother along with us, we will go down and buy food for you.(NY) 5 But if you will not send him, we will not go down, because the man said to us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.(NZ)’”
6 Israel(OA) asked, “Why did you bring this trouble(OB) on me by telling the man you had another brother?”
7 They replied, “The man questioned us closely about ourselves and our family. ‘Is your father still living?’(OC) he asked us. ‘Do you have another brother?’(OD) We simply answered his questions. How were we to know he would say, ‘Bring your brother down here’?”(OE)
8 Then Judah(OF) said to Israel(OG) his father, “Send the boy along with me and we will go at once, so that we and you and our children may live and not die.(OH) 9 I myself will guarantee his safety; you can hold me personally responsible for him.(OI) If I do not bring him back to you and set him here before you, I will bear the blame(OJ) before you all my life.(OK) 10 As it is, if we had not delayed,(OL) we could have gone and returned twice.”
11 Then their father Israel(OM) said to them, “If it must be, then do this: Put some of the best products(ON) of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift(OO)—a little balm(OP) and a little honey, some spices(OQ) and myrrh,(OR) some pistachio nuts and almonds. 12 Take double the amount(OS) of silver with you, for you must return the silver that was put back into the mouths of your sacks.(OT) Perhaps it was a mistake. 13 Take your brother also and go back to the man at once.(OU) 14 And may God Almighty[n](OV) grant you mercy(OW) before the man so that he will let your other brother and Benjamin come back with you.(OX) As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.”(OY)
15 So the men took the gifts and double the amount of silver,(OZ) and Benjamin also. They hurried(PA) down to Egypt and presented themselves(PB) to Joseph. 16 When Joseph saw Benjamin(PC) with them, he said to the steward of his house,(PD) “Take these men to my house, slaughter an animal and prepare a meal;(PE) they are to eat with me at noon.”
17 The man did as Joseph told him and took the men to Joseph’s house.(PF) 18 Now the men were frightened(PG) when they were taken to his house.(PH) They thought, “We were brought here because of the silver that was put back into our sacks(PI) the first time. He wants to attack us(PJ) and overpower us and seize us as slaves(PK) and take our donkeys.(PL)”
19 So they went up to Joseph’s steward(PM) and spoke to him at the entrance to the house. 20 “We beg your pardon, our lord,” they said, “we came down here the first time to buy food.(PN) 21 But at the place where we stopped for the night we opened our sacks and each of us found his silver—the exact weight—in the mouth of his sack. So we have brought it back with us.(PO) 22 We have also brought additional silver with us to buy food. We don’t know who put our silver in our sacks.”
23 “It’s all right,” he said. “Don’t be afraid. Your God, the God of your father,(PP) has given you treasure in your sacks;(PQ) I received your silver.” Then he brought Simeon out to them.(PR)
24 The steward took the men into Joseph’s house,(PS) gave them water to wash their feet(PT) and provided fodder for their donkeys. 25 They prepared their gifts(PU) for Joseph’s arrival at noon,(PV) because they had heard that they were to eat there.
26 When Joseph came home,(PW) they presented to him the gifts(PX) they had brought into the house, and they bowed down before him to the ground.(PY) 27 He asked them how they were, and then he said, “How is your aged father(PZ) you told me about? Is he still living?”(QA)
28 They replied, “Your servant our father(QB) is still alive and well.” And they bowed down,(QC) prostrating themselves before him.(QD)
29 As he looked about and saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother’s son,(QE) he asked, “Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?”(QF) And he said, “God be gracious to you,(QG) my son.” 30 Deeply moved(QH) at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. He went into his private room and wept(QI) there.
31 After he had washed his face, he came out and, controlling himself,(QJ) said, “Serve the food.”(QK)
32 They served him by himself, the brothers by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because Egyptians could not eat with Hebrews,(QL) for that is detestable to Egyptians.(QM) 33 The men had been seated before him in the order of their ages, from the firstborn(QN) to the youngest;(QO) and they looked at each other in astonishment. 34 When portions were served to them from Joseph’s table, Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as anyone else’s.(QP) So they feasted(QQ) and drank freely with him.
A Silver Cup in a Sack
44 Now Joseph gave these instructions to the steward of his house:(QR) “Fill the men’s sacks with as much food as they can carry, and put each man’s silver in the mouth of his sack.(QS) 2 Then put my cup,(QT) the silver one,(QU) in the mouth of the youngest one’s sack, along with the silver for his grain.” And he did as Joseph said.
3 As morning dawned, the men were sent on their way with their donkeys.(QV) 4 They had not gone far from the city when Joseph said to his steward,(QW) “Go after those men at once, and when you catch up with them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid good with evil?(QX) 5 Isn’t this the cup(QY) my master drinks from and also uses for divination?(QZ) This is a wicked thing you have done.’”
6 When he caught up with them, he repeated these words to them. 7 But they said to him, “Why does my lord say such things? Far be it from your servants(RA) to do anything like that!(RB) 8 We even brought back to you from the land of Canaan(RC) the silver(RD) we found inside the mouths of our sacks.(RE) So why would we steal(RF) silver or gold from your master’s house? 9 If any of your servants(RG) is found to have it, he will die;(RH) and the rest of us will become my lord’s slaves.(RI)”
10 “Very well, then,” he said, “let it be as you say. Whoever is found to have it(RJ) will become my slave;(RK) the rest of you will be free from blame.”(RL)
Footnotes
- Genesis 37:3 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain; also in verses 23 and 32.
- Genesis 37:28 That is, about 8 ounces or about 230 grams
- Genesis 37:36 Samaritan Pentateuch, Septuagint, Vulgate and Syriac (see also verse 28); Masoretic Text Medanites
- Genesis 38:29 Perez means breaking out.
- Genesis 38:30 Zerah can mean scarlet or brightness.
- Genesis 40:16 Or three wicker baskets
- Genesis 41:38 Or of the gods
- Genesis 41:43 Or in the chariot of his second-in-command; or in his second chariot
- Genesis 41:43 Or Bow down
- Genesis 41:45 That is, Heliopolis; also in verse 50
- Genesis 41:51 Manasseh sounds like and may be derived from the Hebrew for forget.
- Genesis 41:52 Ephraim sounds like the Hebrew for twice fruitful.
- Genesis 42:34 Or move about freely
- Genesis 43:14 Hebrew El-Shaddai
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