Study Desk

So the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph: "In my dream there was a vine in front of me.

When morning came, he was troubled, so he summoned all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him.

So Pharaoh said to Joseph: "In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile,

"So now, let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and set him over the land of Egypt.

Let them gather all the excess food during these good years that are coming. Under Pharaoh's authority, store the grain in the cities, so they may preserve it as food.

So Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as intelligent and wise as you are.

He had Joseph ride in his second chariot, and servants called out before him, "Abrek!" So he placed him over all the land of Egypt.

So Joseph stored up grain in such abundance—like the sand of the sea—that he stopped measuring it because it was beyond measure.

Listen," he went on, "I have heard there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us so that we will live and not die."

So 10 of Joseph's brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt.

Send one from among you to get your brother. The rest of you will be imprisoned so that your words can be tested to see if they are true. If they are not, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!"

So Joseph imprisoned them together for three days.

Bring your youngest brother to me so that your words can be confirmed; then you won't die." And they consented to this.

"Why did you cause me so much trouble?" Israel asked. "Why did you tell the man that you had another brother?"

Then Judah said to his father Israel, "Send the boy with me. We will be on our way so that we may live and not die—neither we, nor you, nor our children.

Then their father Israel said to them, "If it must be so, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your packs and take them down to the man as a gift—some balsam and some honey, aromatic gum and resin, pistachios and almonds.

May God Almighty cause the man to be merciful to you so that he will release your other brother and Benjamin to you. As for me, if I am deprived of my sons, then I am deprived."

So they approached Joseph's steward and spoke to him at the doorway of the house.

Put my cup, the silver one, at the top of the youngest one's bag, along with his grain money." So he did as Joseph told him.

So each one quickly lowered his sack to the ground and opened it.