Now Israel(A) loved Joseph more than any of his other sons,(B) because he had been born to him in his old age;(C) and he made an ornate[a] robe(D) for him.(E) When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him(F) and could not speak a kind word to him.

Joseph had a dream,(G) and when he told it to his brothers,(H) they hated him all the more.(I) He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: We were binding sheaves(J) 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.”(K)

His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?”(L) And they hated him all the more(M) because of his dream and what he had said.

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Footnotes

  1. Genesis 37:3 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain; also in verses 23 and 32.

Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours.

And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.

And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.

And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed:

For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.

And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.

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26 Judah(A) said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood?(B) 27 Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother,(C) our own flesh and blood.(D)” His brothers agreed.

28 So when the Midianite(E) merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern(F) and sold(G) him for twenty shekels[a] of silver(H) to the Ishmaelites,(I) who took him to Egypt.(J)

29 When Reuben returned to the cistern and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes.(K) 30 He went back to his brothers and said, “The boy isn’t there! Where can I turn now?”(L)

31 Then they got Joseph’s robe,(M) slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood.(N) 32 They took the ornate robe(O) back to their father and said, “We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son’s robe.”

33 He recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe! Some ferocious animal(P) has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces.”(Q)

34 Then Jacob tore his clothes,(R) put on sackcloth(S) and mourned for his son many days.(T)

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Footnotes

  1. Genesis 37:28 That is, about 8 ounces or about 230 grams

26 And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood?

27 Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content.

28 Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.

29 And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes.

30 And he returned unto his brethren, and said, The child is not; and I, whither shall I go?

31 And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood;

32 And they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son's coat or no.

33 And he knew it, and said, It is my son's coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces.

34 And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.

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Joseph Reassures His Brothers

15 When 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) 16 So 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)

18 His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him.(H) “We are your slaves,”(I) they said.

19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?(J) 20 You 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) 21 So 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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15 And 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.

16 And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying,

17 So 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.

18 And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants.

19 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?

20 But 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.

21 Now 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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35 But love your enemies, do good to them,(A) and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children(B) of the Most High,(C) because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

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35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

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