1Joseph 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, 2but so loudly did he weep that the Egyptians and Pharaoh's household heard him. 3Joseph 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. 4Then Joseph said to his brothers, 'Come closer', and so they came close. He said, 'I am your brother Joseph whom you sold into Egypt. 5Now 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. 6For there have now been two years of famine in the country, and there will be another five years with neither ploughing nor harvest. 7God sent me ahead of you to ensure that you will have descendants on earth, and to preserve you all, a great band of survivors. 8So it was not you who sent me here, but God, and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord over all his household and ruler of all Egypt. 9Make haste and go back to my father and give him this message from his son Joseph: "God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; do not delay. 10You 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. 11I 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." 12You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is Joseph himself who is speaking to you. 13Tell 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.' 14Then he threw his arms round his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin too embraced him weeping. 15He kissed all his brothers and wept over them, and afterwards his brothers talked with him.
16When the report that Joseph's brothers had come reached Pharaoh's house, he and all his courtiers were pleased. 17Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'Say to your brothers: "This is what you are to do. Load your beasts and go to Canaan. 18Fetch 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." 19You shall also tell them: "Take wagons from Egypt for your dependants and your wives and fetch your father and come. 20Have no regrets at leaving your possessions, for all the best that there is in Egypt is yours." ' 21The sons of Israel did as they were told, and Joseph gave them wagons, according to Pharaoh's orders, and food for the journey. 22He provided each of them with a change of clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of clothing. 23Moreover 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. 24So he dismissed his brothers, telling them not to quarrel among themselves on the road, and they set out. 25Thus they went up from Egypt and came to their father Jacob in Canaan. 26There they gave him the news that Joseph was still alive and that he was ruler of all Egypt. He was stunned and could not believe it, 27but 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. 28Israel said, 'It is enough. Joseph my son is still alive; I will go and see him before I die.'
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