Genesis 45 :: New International Version (NIV)

Joseph Makes Himself Known

Gen 45:1Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers.

Gen 45:2

Gen 45:2And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.

Gen 45:3

Gen 45:3Joseph 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.

Gen 45:4

Gen 45:4Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt!

Gen 45:5

Gen 45:5And 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.

Gen 45:6

Gen 45:6For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping.

Gen 45:7

Gen 45:7But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.[fn]

Gen 45:8

Gen 45:8“So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.

Gen 45:9

Gen 45:9Now hurry back to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay.

Gen 45:10

Gen 45:10You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me—you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have.

Gen 45:11

Gen 45:11I 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.’

Gen 45:12

Gen 45:12“You can see for yourselves, and so can my brother Benjamin, that it is really I who am speaking to you.

Gen 45:13

Gen 45:13Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly.”

Gen 45:14

Gen 45:14Then he threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping.

Gen 45:15

Gen 45:15And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them. Afterward his brothers talked with him.

Gen 45:16

Gen 45:16When the news reached Pharaoh’s palace that Joseph’s brothers had come, Pharaoh and all his officials were pleased.

Gen 45:17

Gen 45:17Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan,

Gen 45:18

Gen 45:18and bring your father and your families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land.’

Gen 45:19

Gen 45:19“You are also directed to tell them, ‘Do this: Take some carts from Egypt for your children and your wives, and get your father and come.

Gen 45:20

Gen 45:20Never mind about your belongings, because the best of all Egypt will be yours.’ ”

Gen 45:21

Gen 45:21So the sons of Israel did this. Joseph gave them carts, as Pharaoh had commanded, and he also gave them provisions for their journey.

Gen 45:22

Gen 45:22To each of them he gave new clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels[fn] of silver and five sets of clothes.

Gen 45:23

Gen 45:23And this is what he sent to his father: ten donkeys loaded with the best things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and other provisions for his journey.

Gen 45:24

Gen 45:24Then he sent his brothers away, and as they were leaving he said to them, “Don’t quarrel on the way!”

Gen 45:25

Gen 45:25So they went up out of Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan.

Gen 45:26

Gen 45:26They told him, “Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt.” Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them.

Gen 45:27

Gen 45:27But when they told him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob revived.

Gen 45:28

Gen 45:28And Israel said, “I’m convinced! My son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”

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NIV Footnotes

(45:7)

Or save you as a great band of survivors

(45:22)

That is, about 7 1/2 pounds or about 3.5 kilograms

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