Study Desk

Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate robe for him.

His brothers said to him, "Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?" And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said.

From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field.

No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?"

The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph's care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.

The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe.

Joseph stored up huge quantities of grain, like the sand of the sea; it was so much that he stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure.

Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, "It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household."

The second son he named Ephraim and said, "It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering."

And all the world came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe everywhere.

But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph's brother, with the others, because he was afraid that harm might come to him.

They said to one another, "Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that's why this distress has come on us."

But if you will not send him, we will not go down, because the man said to us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.'"

Now the men were frightened when they were taken to his house. They thought, "We were brought here because of the silver that was put back into our sacks the first time. He wants to attack us and overpower us and seize us as slaves and take our donkeys."

They prepared their gifts for Joseph's arrival at noon, because they had heard that they were to eat there.

They served him by himself, the brothers by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because Egyptians could not eat with Hebrews, for that is detestable to Egyptians.

Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph! Is my father still living?" But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.

And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.

I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.'

Never mind about your belongings, because the best of all Egypt will be yours.'"