Genesis 42:1-6

Common English Bible

Joseph’s brothers arrive in Egypt

42 When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why are you staring blankly at each other? ²I’ve just heard that there’s grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us so that we can survive and not starve to death.” ³So Joseph’s ten brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt. ⁴However, Jacob didn’t send Joseph’s brother Benjamin along with his brothers because he thought something bad might happen to him. ⁵Israel’s sons came to buy grain with others who also came since the famine had spread to the land of Canaan.

⁶As for Joseph, he was the land’s governor, and he was the one selling grain to all the land’s people. When Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him, their faces to the ground.

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Genesis 45:1-8

Common English Bible

Joseph reveals his identity

45 Joseph could no longer control himself in front of all his attendants, so he declared, “Everyone, leave now!” So no one stayed with him when he revealed his identity to his brothers. ²He wept so loudly that the Egyptians and Pharaoh’s household heard him. ³Joseph said to his brothers, “I’m Joseph! Is my father really still alive?” His brothers couldn’t respond because they were terrified before him.

⁴Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me,” and they moved closer. He said, “I’m your brother Joseph! The one you sold to Egypt. ⁵Now, don’t be upset and don’t be angry with yourselves that you sold me here. Actually, God sent me before you to save lives. ⁶We’ve already had two years of famine in the land, and there are five years left without planting or harvesting. ⁷God sent me before you to make sure you’d survive^[a] and to rescue your lives in this amazing way. ⁸You didn’t send me here; it was God who made me a father to Pharaoh, master of his entire household, and ruler of the whole land of Egypt.

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