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Joseph's Promise to His Brothers
15After Jacob died, Joseph's brothers said to each other, “What if Joseph still hates us and wants to get even with us for all the cruel things we did to him?”
16So they sent this message to Joseph:
Before our father died, 17he told us, “You did some cruel and terrible things to Joseph, but you must ask him to forgive you.”
Now we ask you to please forgive the terrible things we did. After all, we serve the same God that your father worshiped.
When Joseph heard this, he started crying.
18Right then, Joseph's brothers came and bowed down to the ground in front of him and said, “We are your slaves.”
19But Joseph told them, “Don't be afraid! I have no right to change what God has decided. 20You tried to harm me, but God made it turn out for the best, so that he could save all these people, as he is now doing. 21Don't be afraid! I will take care of you and your children.” After Joseph said this, his brothers felt much better.
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Joseph Reassures His Brothers
15When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge(A) against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?”(B) 16So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions(C) before he died: 17‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins(D) and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’(E) Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.(F)” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.(G)
18His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him.(H) “We are your slaves,”(I) they said.
19But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?(J) 20You intended to harm me,(K) but God intended(L) it for good(M) to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.(N) 21So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.(O)” And he reassured them and spoke kindly(P) to them.
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Cross references
- Genesis 50:15 : S Ge 27:41
- Genesis 50:15 : ver 17; S Ge 9:5; 37:28; Zep 3:11; 1Pe 3:9
- Genesis 50:16 : Ge 49:29
- Genesis 50:17 : S Mt 6:14
- Genesis 50:17 : S ver 15
- Genesis 50:17 : S Ge 28:13
- Genesis 50:17 : S Ge 29:11
- Genesis 50:18 : S Ge 37:7
- Genesis 50:18 : S Ge 43:18
- Genesis 50:19 : S Ge 30:2; S Ex 32:34; Ro 12:19; Heb 10:30
- Genesis 50:20 : Ge 37:20
- Genesis 50:20 : Isa 10:7; Mic 4:11-12
- Genesis 50:20 : Ro 8:28
- Genesis 50:20 : S Ge 45:5; Est 4:14
- Genesis 50:21 : S Ge 45:11
- Genesis 50:21 : S Ge 34:3; Eph 4:32
15And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him.
16And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying,
17So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.
18And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants.
19And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?
20But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
21Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.
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