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Joseph Reveals His Identity

45 Joseph could no longer keep his composure in front of all his attendants,[a] so he called out, ‘Send everyone away from me! ’ No one was with him when he revealed his identity to his brothers.(A) But he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and also Pharaoh’s household heard it. Joseph said to his brothers, ‘I am Joseph! Is my father still living? ’ But they could not answer him because they were terrified in his presence.

Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Please, come near me,’ and they came near. ‘I am Joseph, your brother,’ he said, ‘the one you sold into Egypt.(B) And now don’t be grieved or angry with yourselves for selling me here, because God sent me ahead of you to preserve life.(C) For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there will be five more years without ploughing or harvesting. God sent me ahead of you to establish you as a remnant within the land and to keep you alive by a great deliverance.[b] Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

‘Return quickly 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 without delay. 10 You can settle in the land of Goshen(D) and be near me – you, your children, and your grandchildren, your flocks, your herds, and all you have. 11 There I will sustain you, for there will be five more years of famine. Otherwise, you, your household, and everything you have will become destitute.’ ”(E) 12 Look! Your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin can see that I’m[c] the one speaking to you. 13 Tell my father about all my glory in Egypt and about all you have seen. And bring my father here quickly.’(F)

14 Then Joseph threw his arms round his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin wept on his shoulder. 15 Joseph kissed each of his brothers as he wept,[d] and afterwards his brothers talked with him.

The Return for Jacob

16 When the news reached Pharaoh’s palace, ‘Joseph’s brothers have come,’ Pharaoh and his servants were pleased. 17 Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Tell your brothers, “Do this: load your animals and go on back to the land of Canaan. 18 Get your father and your families, and come back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you can eat from the richness of the land.” 19 You are also commanded to tell them, “Do this: take carts from the land of Egypt for your dependents and your wives and bring your father here.(G) 20 Do not be concerned about your belongings, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.” ’(H)

21 The sons of Israel did this. Joseph gave them carts as Pharaoh had commanded, and he gave them provisions for the journey. 22 He gave each of the brothers changes of clothes,(I) but he gave Benjamin three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of clothes.(J) 23 He sent his father the following: ten donkeys carrying the best products of Egypt and ten female donkeys carrying grain, food, and provisions for his father on the journey. 24 So Joseph sent his brothers on their way, and as they were leaving, he said to them, ‘Don’t argue[e] on the way.’

25 So they went up from Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan. 26 They said, ‘Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt! ’ Jacob was stunned,[f] for he did not believe them. 27 But when they told Jacob all that Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts that Joseph had sent to transport him, the spirit of their father Jacob revived.

28 Then Israel said, ‘Enough! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go to see him before I die.’

Footnotes

  1. 45:1 Lit all those standing about him
  2. 45:7 Or keep alive for you many survivors
  3. 45:12 Lit that my mouth is
  4. 45:15 Lit brothers, and he wept over them
  5. 45:24 Or be anxious
  6. 45:26 Lit Jacob’s heart was numb

约瑟与弟兄相认

45 约瑟在左右站着的人面前情不自禁,吩咐一声说:“人都要离开我出去!”约瑟和弟兄相认的时候,并没有一人站在他面前。 他就放声大哭,埃及人和法老家中的人都听见了。 约瑟对他弟兄们说:“我是约瑟!我的父亲还在吗?”他弟兄不能回答,因为在他面前都惊惶。 约瑟又对他弟兄们说:“请你们近前来。”他们就近前来。他说:“我是你们的兄弟约瑟,就是你们所卖到埃及的。 现在,不要因为把我卖到这里自忧自恨,这是神差我在你们以先来,为要保全生命。 现在这地的饥荒已经二年了,还有五年不能耕种,不能收成。 神差我在你们以先来,为要给你们存留余种在世上,又要大施拯救,保全你们的生命。 这样看来,差我到这里来的不是你们,乃是神。他又使我如法老的父,做他全家的主,并埃及全地的宰相。 你们要赶紧上到我父亲那里,对他说:‘你儿子约瑟这样说:“神使我做全埃及的主,请你下到我这里来,不要耽延。 10 你和你的儿子、孙子,连牛群、羊群,并一切所有的,都可以住在歌珊地与我相近, 11 我要在那里奉养你。因为还有五年的饥荒,免得你和你的眷属,并一切所有的,都败落了。”’ 12 况且你们的眼和我兄弟便雅悯的眼都看见是我亲口对你们说话。 13 你们也要将我在埃及一切的荣耀和你们所看见的事,都告诉我父亲,又要赶紧地将我父亲搬到我这里来。” 14 于是约瑟伏在他兄弟便雅悯的颈项上哭,便雅悯也在他的颈项上哭。 15 他又与众弟兄亲嘴,抱着他们哭,随后他弟兄们就和他说话。

法老命约瑟迎父

16 这风声传到法老的宫里,说:“约瑟的弟兄们来了。”法老和他的臣仆都很喜欢。 17 法老对约瑟说:“你吩咐你的弟兄们说:‘你们要这样行:把驮子抬在牲口上,起身往迦南地去, 18 将你们的父亲和你们的眷属都搬到我这里来。我要把埃及地的美物赐给你们,你们也要吃这地肥美的出产。’ 19 现在我吩咐你们要这样行:从埃及地带着车辆去,把你们的孩子和妻子,并你们的父亲都搬来。 20 你们眼中不要爱惜你们的家具,因为埃及全地的美物都是你们的。”

21 以色列的儿子们就如此行。约瑟照着法老的吩咐给他们车辆和路上用的食物, 22 又给他们各人一套衣服,唯独给便雅悯三百银子,五套衣服; 23 送给他父亲公驴十匹,驮着埃及的美物,母驴十匹,驮着粮食与饼和菜,为他父亲路上用。 24 于是约瑟打发他弟兄们回去,又对他们说:“你们不要在路上相争。” 25 他们从埃及上去,来到迦南地他们的父亲雅各那里, 26 告诉他说:“约瑟还在,并且做埃及全地的宰相。”雅各心里冰凉,因为不信他们。 27 他们便将约瑟对他们说的一切话都告诉了他。他们父亲雅各又看见约瑟打发来接他的车辆,心就苏醒了。 28 以色列说:“罢了!罢了!我的儿子约瑟还在,趁我未死以先,我要去见他一面。”

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

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