Genesis 37:1-8
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Joseph Dreams of Greatness
37 Jacob settled in the land where his father had lived as an alien, the land of Canaan.(A) 2 These are the descendants of Jacob.
Joseph, being seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers; he was a helper to the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives, and Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his children because he was the son of his old age, and he made him an ornamented robe.[a](B) 4 But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him.(C)
5 Once Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. 6 He said to them, “Listen to this dream that I dreamed. 7 There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright; then your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.”(D) 8 His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Are you indeed to have dominion over us?” So they hated him even more because of his dreams and his words.(E)
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- 37.3 Or (compare Gk): a coat of many colors; meaning of Heb uncertain
Genesis 37:1-8
New International Version
Joseph’s Dreams
37 Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed,(A) the land of Canaan.(B)
2 This is the account(C) of Jacob’s family line.
Joseph,(D) a young man of seventeen,(E) was tending the flocks(F) with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah(G) and the sons of Zilpah,(H) his father’s wives, and he brought their father a bad report(I) about them.
3 Now Israel(J) loved Joseph more than any of his other sons,(K) because he had been born to him in his old age;(L) and he made an ornate[a] robe(M) for him.(N) 4 When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him(O) and could not speak a kind word to him.
5 Joseph had a dream,(P) and when he told it to his brothers,(Q) they hated him all the more.(R) 6 He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: 7 We were binding sheaves(S) of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.”(T)
8 His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?”(U) And they hated him all the more(V) because of his dream and what he had said.
Footnotes
- Genesis 37:3 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain; also in verses 23 and 32.
Genesis 37:25-28
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
25 Then they sat down to eat, and looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels carrying gum, balm, and resin, on their way to carry it down to Egypt.(A) 26 Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood?(B) 27 Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers agreed.(C) 28 When some Midianite traders passed by, they drew Joseph up, lifting him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt.(D)
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Genesis 37:25-28
New International Version
25 As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites(A) coming from Gilead.(B) Their camels were loaded with spices, balm(C) and myrrh,(D) and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt.(E)
26 Judah(F) said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood?(G) 27 Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother,(H) our own flesh and blood.(I)” His brothers agreed.
28 So when the Midianite(J) merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern(K) and sold(L) him for twenty shekels[a] of silver(M) to the Ishmaelites,(N) who took him to Egypt.(O)
Footnotes
- Genesis 37:28 That is, about 8 ounces or about 230 grams
Genesis 41:37-40
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Joseph’s Rise to Power
37 The proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his servants. 38 Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find anyone else like this, one in whom is the spirit of God?”(A) 39 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has shown you all this, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. 40 You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command; only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you.”(B)
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Genesis 41:37-40
New International Version
37 The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials.(A) 38 So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God[a]?”(B)
39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you,(C) there is no one so discerning and wise as you.(D) 40 You shall be in charge of my palace,(E) and all my people are to submit to your orders.(F) Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.(G)”
Footnotes
- Genesis 41:38 Or of the gods
Genesis 45:4-8
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me.” And they came closer. He said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt.(A) 5 And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.(B) 6 For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. 7 God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to keep alive for you many survivors. 8 So it was not you who sent me here but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt.(C)
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Genesis 45:4-8
New International Version
4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.”(A) When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt!(B) 5 And now, do not be distressed(C) and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here,(D) because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.(E) 6 For two years now there has been famine(F) in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant(G) on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.[a](H)
8 “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God.(I) He made me father(J) to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.(K)
Footnotes
- Genesis 45:7 Or save you as a great band of survivors
Romans 8:28
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
28 We know that all things work together[a] for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.(A)
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- 8.28 Other ancient authorities read God makes all things work together or in all things God works
Romans 8:28
New International Version
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good(A) of those who love him, who[a] have been called(B) according to his purpose.(C)
Footnotes
- Romans 8:28 Or that all things work together for good to those who love God, who; or that in all things God works together with those who love him to bring about what is good—with those who
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