Study Desk

And God told him, "I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation-even a company of nations-shall come from you, and kings shall descend from you.

Then God went up from him at the place where He had spoken with him.

So Jacob set up a pillar in the place where God had spoken to him-a stone marker-and he poured out a drink offering on it and anointed it with oil.

Jacob called the place where God had spoken with him Bethel.

No one in this house is greater than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?"

"We both had dreams," they replied, "but there is no one to interpret them." Then Joseph said to them, "Don't interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams."

"I myself cannot do it," Joseph replied, "but God will give Pharaoh a sound answer."

At this, Joseph said to Pharaoh, "The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what He is about to do.

It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do.

Moreover, because the dream was given to Pharaoh in two versions, the matter has been decreed by God, and He will carry it out shortly.

So Pharaoh asked them, "Can we find anyone like this man, in whom the Spirit of God abides?"

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

Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, saying, "God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father's household."

And the second son he named Ephraim, saying, "God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction."

and on the third day he said to them, "Do this and you will live, for I fear God.

"My money has been returned!" he said to his brothers. "It is here in my sack." Their hearts sank, and trembling, they turned to one another and said, "What is this that God has done to us?"

May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man so that he will release your other brother along with Benjamin. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved."

"It is fine," said the steward. "Do not be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, gave you the treasure that was in your sacks. I received your money." Then he brought Simeon out to them.

When Joseph looked up and saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother's son, he asked, "Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?" Then he declared, "May God be gracious to you, my son."

"What can we say to my lord?" Judah replied. "How can we plead? How can we justify ourselves? God has exposed the iniquity of your servants. We are now my lord's slaves-both we and the one who was found with the cup."