Genesis 45

1 At this point, Joseph could not control his emotions any longer, so he cried out to everyone who was standing nearby, “Everybody! Leave me!” As a result, none of his staff ^{a45:1 Lit. result, no man} was anywhere near ^{b45:1 Lit. was standing nearby} him when he revealed himself to his brothers.ISV — Genesis 45:1

2 He cried so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, including Pharaoh’s household.ISV — Genesis 45:2

3 Joseph blurted out, “I’m Joseph! Is my father really alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, because they had become terrified ^{c45:3 Or dismayed} to be in his presence.ISV — Genesis 45:3

4 Joseph implored his brothers, “Please come close to me.” So they did. “I’m your brother Joseph, whom you sold into slavery in ^{d45:4 The Heb. lacks slavery in} Egypt!” he told them.ISV — Genesis 45:4

5 “But ^{e45:5 Or So} don’t be distressed or angry at yourselves because you sold me here, because God sent me ahead of you all in order to deliver us. ^{f45:5 The Heb. lacks us}ISV — Genesis 45:5

6 That’s because this famine has been going on for two years now in this region, and there are still five years left, during which there won’t be any plowing or harvesting.ISV — Genesis 45:6

7 God sent me ahead of you to keep you alive on the earth, and to save you all in a magnificent way.ISV — Genesis 45:7

8 As a result, it wasn’t you who sent me here, but God himself! He established me as a father-figure to Pharaoh himself! I’m in charge of his entire palace and ruler over the entire land of Egypt.ISV — Genesis 45:8

9 So hurry up, go back to my father, and tell him that his son Joseph tells him, ‘God has made me master of all of Egypt. Hurry up! Come live with me!’ISV — Genesis 45:9

10 You are to live in the land of Goshen, near where I am—you, your children, your grandchildren, your flocks, your herds, and everything that you own.ISV — Genesis 45:10

11 I’ll provide for you there, since there are still five years of famine left to go, and you, your households, and everything you own would have otherwise become impoverished.ISV — Genesis 45:11

12 “Look, now! All of you can see me! And my own brother Benjamin can tell that it’s really me ^{g45:12 Lit. it’s my mouth} speaking to you!ISV — Genesis 45:12

13 So go tell my father about all of my splendor in Egypt. Tell him about everything that you’ve seen. Be quick about it, and bring my father down here!”ISV — Genesis 45:13

14 Then he threw his arms around Benjamin ^{h45:14 Lit. he collapsed on Benjamin’s neck} and wept as they embraced. ^{i45:14 Lit. as Benjamin wept on his neck}ISV — Genesis 45:14

15 He kissed all of his brothers and wept with them, too, and then his brothers were able to talk with him.ISV — Genesis 45:15

16 As soon as the news reached Pharaoh’s palace that Joseph’s brothers had arrived, Pharaoh and his servants were ecstatic.ISV — Genesis 45:16

17 Pharaoh told Joseph, “Be sure to tell your brothers, ‘Do this: load up your livestock, go back to the land of Canaan,ISV — Genesis 45:17

18 get your father and your households, and come back to me. I’ll give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can live off the abundance of the land.’ISV — Genesis 45:18

19 In addition,” Pharaoh ordered, “Do this: take some transport wagons from the land of Egypt for your little ones to ride in, along with your wives, and bring your father and come!ISV — Genesis 45:19

20 Don’t worry about your household goods, because the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.”ISV — Genesis 45:20

21 So Israel’s sons did what they were asked to do, and Joseph provided wagons for them, as Pharaoh had commanded. He also gave them provisions for the journey.ISV — Genesis 45:21

22 He gave each of them some changes of clothes, but he also gave Benjamin 300 pieces of silver and five changes of clothes.ISV — Genesis 45:22

23 He sent his father ten male donkeys loaded with the best of Egyptian goods and ten female donkeys loaded with grain, bread, and provisions for his father during the journey.ISV — Genesis 45:23

24 Then Joseph ^{j45:24 Lit. he} sent his brothers away, and they left for home. ^{k45:24 The Heb. lacks for home} As they were leaving, Joseph admonished them, “Don’t quarrel on the way back!”ISV — Genesis 45:24

25 So Joseph’s brothers ^{l45:25 Lit. So they} left Egypt and returned to the land of Canaan and to their father Jacob,ISV — Genesis 45:25

26 where they informed their father, “Joseph is still alive! As a matter of fact, he’s ruling the entire land of Egypt.” But Jacob didn’t believe them, because he had become cynical. ^{m45:26 Lit. because his heart had become numb}ISV — Genesis 45:26

27 However, as soon as his sons ^{n45:27 Lit. as they} had told him everything Joseph had said, and after he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent along to carry him, their father Jacob’s spirit was encouraged.ISV — Genesis 45:27

28 “It’s enough,” Israel replied. “My son Joseph is still alive. I’m going to go see him before I die!”ISV — Genesis 45:28