Study Desk

and said to one another, "Yes, now we are suffering the consequences of what we did to our brother; we saw the great trouble he was in when he begged for help, but we would not listen. That is why we are in this trouble now."

Reuben said, "I told you not to harm the boy, but you wouldn't listen. And now we are being paid back for his death."

Joseph understood what they said, but they did not know it, because they had been speaking to him through an interpreter.

Bring your youngest brother to me. Then I will know that you are not spies, but honest men; I will give your brother back to you, and you can stay here and trade.'"

But Jacob said, "My son cannot go with you; his brother is dead, and he is the only one left. Something might happen to him on the way. I am an old man, and the sorrow you would cause me would kill me."

He said, "I agree; but only the one who has taken the cup will become my slave, and the rest of you can go free."

Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?" But when his brothers heard this, they were so terrified that they could not answer.

So it was not really you who sent me here, but God. He has made me the king's highest official. I am in charge of his whole country; I am the ruler of all Egypt.

He also gave each of them a change of clothes, but he gave Benjamin three hundred pieces of silver and five changes of clothes.

But when they told him all that Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to take him to Egypt, he recovered from the shock.

But Jacob crossed his hands, and put his right hand on the head of Ephraim, even though he was the younger, and his left hand on the head of Manasseh, who was the older.

His father refused, saying, "I know, son, I know. Manasseh's descendants will also become a great people. But his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become great nations."

Then Jacob said to Joseph, "As you see, I am about to die, but God will be with you and will take you back to the land of your ancestors.

You are like a raging flood, But you will not be the most important, For you slept with my concubine And dishonored your father's bed.

But he sees that the resting place is good And that the land is delightful. So he bends his back to carry the load And is forced to work as a slave.

"Gad will be attacked by a band of robbers, But he will turn and pursue them.

But his bow remains steady, And his arms are made strong By the power of the Mighty God of Jacob, By the Shepherd, the Protector of Israel.

But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid; I can't put myself in the place of God.

You plotted evil against me, but God turned it into good, in order to preserve the lives of many people who are alive today because of what happened.

He said to his brothers, "I am about to die, but God will certainly take care of you and lead you out of this land to the land he solemnly promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."