Genesis 45
1 Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Send everyone away from me!” So none of them were with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers.
Joseph was unable to restrain himself any longer, standing before so many. Therefore, he instructed that all should go outside, and that no stranger should be among them as they recognized one another.
2 But he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household soon heard of it.
And he lifted up his voice with weeping, which the Egyptians heard, along with the entire house of Pharaoh.
3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But they were unable to answer him, because they were terrified in his presence.
And he said to his brothers: “I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?” His brothers were unable to respond, being terrified by a very great fear.
4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near me.” And they did so. “I am Joseph, your brother,” he said, “the one you sold into Egypt!
And he said to them mildly, “Approach toward me.” And when they had approached close by, he said: “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into Egypt.
5 And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves that you sold me into this place, because it was to save lives that God sent me before you.
Do not be afraid, and let it not seem to you to be a hardship that you sold me into these regions. For God sent me before you into Egypt for your salvation.
6 For the famine has covered the land these two years, and there will be five more years without plowing or harvesting.
For it is two years since the famine began to be upon the land, and five years more remain, in which there can be neither plowing, nor reaping.
7 God sent me before you to preserve you as a remnant on the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
And God sent me ahead, so that you may be preserved upon the earth, and so that you would be able to have food in order to live.
8 Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God, who has made me a father to Pharaoh—lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt.
I was sent here, not by your counsel, but by the will of God. He has caused me to be like a father to Pharaoh, and to be the lord of his entire house, as well as governor throughout all the land of Egypt.
9 Now return quickly to my father and tell him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me without delay.
Hurry, and go up to my father, and say to him: ‘Your son Joseph commands this: God has caused me to be lord of the entire land of Egypt. Come down to me, do not delay,
10 You shall settle in the land of Goshen and be near me—you and your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and everything you own.
and you will live in the land of Goshen. And you will be next to me, you and your sons and the sons of your sons, your sheep and your herds, and all that you possess.
11 And there I will provide for you, because there will be five more years of famine. Otherwise, you and your household and everything you own will come to destitution.’
And there I will pasture you, (for there are still five years of famine remaining) lest both you and your house perish, along with all that you possess.’
12 Behold! You and my brother Benjamin can see that I, Joseph, am the one speaking with you.
Behold, your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin can see that it is my mouth speaking to you.
13 Tell my father about all my splendor in Egypt and everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly.”
You will report to my father about all my glory, and about all that you have seen in Egypt. Hurry, and bring him to me.”
14 Then Joseph threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin wept as they embraced.
And then falling upon the neck of his brother Benjamin, he embraced him and wept. And likewise, Benjamin wept at the same time on his neck.
15 Joseph kissed each of his brothers as he wept over them. And afterward his brothers talked with him.
And Joseph kissed all his brothers, and he cried over each one. After this, they were emboldened to speak to him.
16 When the news reached Pharaoh’s house that Joseph’s brothers had come, Pharaoh and his servants were pleased.
And it was overheard, and the news spread by word throughout the king’s court. The brothers of Joseph had arrived, and Pharaoh was gladdened along with all his family.
17 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Do as follows: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan.
And he told Joseph that he should command his brothers, saying: “‘Burden your beasts, and go into the land of Canaan,
18 Then bring your father and your families and return to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you shall eat from the fat of the land.’
and take from there your father and kindred, and come to me. And I will give you all the good things of Egypt, so that you may eat from the marrow of the land.’”
19 You are also directed to tell them: ‘Take wagons from the land of Egypt for your young children and your wives, and bring your father and come back.
“And you may even instruct that they take wagons from the land of Egypt, in order to transport their little ones as well as their wives. And say: ‘Take your father, and come quickly, as soon as possible.
20 But pay no regard to your belongings, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.’”
You need not give up anything from your household, for all the riches of Egypt will be yours.’”
21 So the sons of Israel did as they were told. Joseph gave them wagons as Pharaoh had instructed, and he also gave them provisions for their journey.
And the sons of Israel did just as they were commanded. And Joseph gave them wagons, according to the command of Pharaoh, and provisions for the journey.
22 He gave new garments to each of them, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels of silver and five sets of clothes.
Likewise, he ordered two robes for each of them to be brought. Yet truly, to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver along with five of the best robes.
23 And he sent to his father the following: ten donkeys loaded with the best of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and provisions for his father’s journey.
And he sent just as much money and clothing to his father, adding also ten male donkeys, with which to transport all the riches of Egypt, and as many female donkeys, carrying wheat and bread for the journey.
24 Then Joseph sent his brothers on their way, and as they were leaving, he said to them, “Do not quarrel on the way!”
Thus he sent away his brothers, and as they set out he said, “Do not become angry on the way.”
25 So the brothers went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan.
And they ascended out of Egypt, and they arrived in the land of Canaan, to their father Jacob.
26 “Joseph is still alive,” they said, “and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt!” But Jacob was stunned, for he did not believe them.
And they reported to him, saying: “Your son Joseph is alive, and he is ruler throughout all the land of Egypt. When Jacob heard this, he was stirred up, as if from a deep sleep, yet he did not believe them.
27 However, when they relayed all that Joseph had told them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob was revived.
To the contrary, they explained the entire matter in order. And when he had seen the wagons, and all that he had sent, his spirit revived,
28 “Enough!” declared Israel. “My son Joseph is still alive! I will go to see him before I die.”
and he said: “It is enough for me, if my son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”
