Genesis

Recognition and Reconciliation

Now Joseph could no longer control his feelings in the presence of everyone standing nearby, and he called out: “Leave my presence, everyone!” Only his brothers remained with him when Joseph revealed himself to them.

He wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and the news reached Pharaoh’s house.

Joseph said to his brothers: “I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?” And his brothers could not answer be-cause they were terrified at seeing him.

Joseph said, “Come closer,” and they drew nearer. “I am Joseph, your brother, yes, it’s me, the one you sold to the Egyptians.

Now don’t grieve and reproach yourselves for selling me, because God has sent me before you to save your lives.

It’s two years since famine has been in the land, and there will be another five years without tilling and harvest.

God has sent me ahead of you to make our race survive there and to save many of you.

So it was not you but God who sent me here, and made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of his household, and ruler also of all the land of Egypt.

Go back quickly to my father and say to him: ‘Joseph your son sends you this message: God has made me lord of all Egypt; so come down to me without delay;

you shall live in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and your herds, all that you have.

And there I will provide for you (for there will be five more years of famine) lest you and your household and all who belong to you, be in need.

Now you can see for yourselves, and your broth-er Benjamin can see that it is I myself who speaks to you.

You will tell my father of the glory I have in Egypt and of all that you have seen. Go quickly and bring my father down here.”

Joseph then threw his arms around Benjamin and wept.

While weeping, he kissed and embraced his brothers, and they began to talk with him.

The news spread through Pharaoh’s household: “Joseph’s brothers are here,” and it pleased both Pharaoh and his officials.

Pharaoh told Joseph: “Let your brothers load their beasts, return to the land of Canaan,

and bring their father and their families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you will enjoy the fat of the land!

As for yourself, give them this order: Take wagons from the land of Egypt for your little ones and for your wives; get your father and come!

Never mind the things you leave there, for the best in all Egypt is yours!”

The sons of Israel did this. Joseph gave them wagons as Pharaoh had ordered, along with provisions for the journey.

To each one, he gave a festal garment, but to Benjamin, he gave three hundred silver coins and five festal garments.

To his father, he sent ten asses loaded with all the best goods in Egypt and ten donkeys loaded with grain, bread, and provisions for his father on the journey.

Then he sent his brothers away and as they left he said: “Don’t quarrel on the way.”

They returned from Egypt and came back to Jacob, their father, in the land of Canaan.

They told him: “Joseph is alive and the ruler of all Egypt!” Jacob was stunned, for he could not believe what he was hearing.

But they told him all that Joseph had said and showed him the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him. Then Jacob’s spirit revived, and he said:

“It’s enough, my son Joseph is alive; I will go and see him before I die.”