¹² So Jacob’s sons did as he had commanded them:^{(A) 13} They carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave in the field of Machpelah,^(B) near Mamre,^(C) which Abraham had bought along with the field^(D) as a burial place from Ephron the Hittite.^{(E) 14} After burying his father, Joseph returned to Egypt, together with his brothers and all the others who had gone with him to bury his father.^(F)

Joseph Reassures His Brothers

¹⁵ When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge^(G) against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?”^{(H) 16} So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions^(I) before he died: ¹⁷ ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins^(J) and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’^(K) Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.^(L)” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.^(M)

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

¹⁹ But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?^{(P) 20} You intended to harm me,^(Q) but God intended^(R) it for good^(S) to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.^{(T) 21} So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.^(U)” And he reassured them and spoke kindly^(V) to them.

Paul’s Chains Advance the Gospel

¹² Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,^[a] that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. ¹³ As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard^[b] and to everyone else that I am in chains^(A) for Christ. ¹⁴ And because of my chains,^(B) most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.^(C)

¹⁵ It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. ¹⁶ The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.^{(D) 17} The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition,^(E) not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.^{(F) 18} But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, ¹⁹ for I know that through your prayers^(G) and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ^(H) what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.^{[c](I) 20} I eagerly expect^(J) and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage^(K) so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body,^(L) whether by life or by death.^{(M) 21} For to me, to live is Christ^(N) and to die is gain.