Study Desk

And these are his generations: Joseph, when he was sixteen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren, being but a boy: and he was with the sons of Bala and of Zelpha his father’s wives: and he accused his brethren to his father of a most wicked crime.

His brethren therefore envied him: but his father considered the thing with himself.

But he answered: I seek my brethren, tell me where they feed the flocks.

Do not take away his life, nor shed his blood: but cast him into this pit, that is in the wilderness, and keep your hands harmless: now he said this, being desirous to deliver him out of their hands and to restore him to his father.

And all his children being gathered together to comfort their father in his sorrow, he would not receive comfort, but said: I will go down to my son into hell, mourning. And whilst he continued weeping,

And Juda sent a kid by his shepherd, the Odollamite, that he might receive the pledge again, which he had given to the woman: but he, not finding her,

But when she was led to execution, she sent to her father in law, saying: By the man, to whom these things belong, I am with child. See whose ring, and bracelet, and staff this is.

But he acknowledging the gifts, said: She is juster than I: because I did not give her to Sela, my son. However he knew her no more.

But he drawing back his hand, the other came forth: and the woman said: Why is the partition divided for thee? and therefore called his name Phares.

Neither knew he any other thing, but the bread which he ate. And Joseph was of a beautiful countenance, and comely to behold.

But he in no wise consenting to that wicked act said to her: Behold, my master hath delivered all things to me, and knoweth not what he hath in his own house:

Neither is there any thing which is not in my power, or that he hath not delivered to me, but thee, who art his wife; how then can I do this wicked thing, and sin against my God?

And she catching the skirt of his garment, said: Lie with me. But he leaving the garment in her hand, fled, and went out.

But the Lord was with Joseph, and having mercy upon him gave him favour in the sight of the chief keeper of the prison:

But the keeper of the prison delivered them to Joseph, and he served them. Some little time passed, and they were kept in custody.

But the chief butler, when things prospered with him, forgot his interpreter.

And yet gave no mark of their being full: but were as lean and ill favoured as before. I awoke, and then fell asleep again,

The seven years of scarcity, which Joseph had foretold, began to come: and the famine prevailed in the whole world, but there was bread in all the land of Egypt.

But they said: It is not so, my lord; but thy servants are come to buy food.

But they said: We thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Chanaan: the youngest is with our father, the other is not living.