约瑟的梦

37 雅各住在他父亲寄居的迦南, 以下是有关雅各一家的记载。

十七岁的少年约瑟跟哥哥们,就是雅各的妾辟拉和悉帕生的儿子们一同放羊。他向父亲报告哥哥们做的坏事。 约瑟是以色列年老时生的,以色列特别宠爱他,为他做了一件彩衣。 约瑟的哥哥们见父亲偏爱他,就怀恨在心,对他恶言相向。

约瑟做了一个梦,并告诉了哥哥们,他们更恨他了。 约瑟对哥哥们说:“你们听听我做的梦—— 我们在田里捆庄稼,我捆的庄稼站起来,你们捆的庄稼都围着我捆的庄稼下拜。” 他的哥哥们回答说:“难道你真想做我们的王统治我们吗?”他们因约瑟的梦和他说的话而更恨他。

后来,约瑟又做了一个梦,他又去对哥哥们说:“你们听听我做的另一个梦,我梦见太阳、月亮和十一颗星星都向我下拜。” 10 约瑟把梦告诉了父亲和哥哥们,他父亲就责备他说:“你做的是什么梦!难道你的父母弟兄都要来向你俯伏下拜吗?” 11 约瑟的哥哥们嫉恨他,他父亲却把这些话记在心里。

12 约瑟的哥哥们到示剑放父亲的羊。 13 以色列把约瑟叫来,对他说:“你哥哥们在示剑放羊,我要派你去他们那里。”约瑟说:“好的。” 14 以色列说:“你去看看你哥哥们以及羊群是否平安,然后回来告诉我。”于是,约瑟就从希伯仑谷出发去示剑。 15 有人见他在田野走迷了路,就问他:“你在找什么?” 16 约瑟回答说:“我在找我哥哥们,你知道他们在哪里放羊吗?” 17 那人说:“他们已经走了,我听他们说要到多坍去。”约瑟就赶往多坍,在那里找到了他们。

18 约瑟的哥哥们远远看见他走来,趁他还没有到跟前,就合谋要害死他。 19 他们彼此商量说:“看!做梦的来了。 20 来吧!我们杀了他,把他扔在井里,就说有野兽把他吃掉了,看他的梦怎么实现。” 21 吕便听后想救约瑟的性命,就说:“我们不要害他性命。” 22 他又说:“不要杀人流血,把他扔在这口井里吧,不要下手害他。”吕便想救约瑟,把他交回给父亲。 23 这时候,约瑟来了,他们就脱去他身上的彩衣, 24 把他扔到井里。当时,那口井是干的,没有水。

25 他们坐下来吃饭的时候,看见一队从基列来的以实玛利商人用骆驼驮着香料、乳香、没药去埃及。 26 犹大对他的众弟兄说:“我们杀死弟弟、掩盖罪行有什么益处呢? 27 不如把他卖给以实玛利人,不要下手害他,他毕竟是我们的弟弟,我们的骨肉啊!”其他弟兄都赞成他的意见。 28 于是,那些米甸商人经过的时候,他们就把约瑟从井里拉上来,以二百二十克银子的价钱把他卖给了以实玛利人。这些商人把他带到埃及去了。

29 吕便回到井边发现约瑟不见了,就伤心地撕裂了身上的衣服, 30 回到弟兄们那里说:“那少年不见了,我现在怎么办?” 31 他们宰了一只公山羊,把血染在约瑟的彩衣上, 32 拿去给父亲,说:“我们捡到这件衣服,你看看是不是你儿子的?” 33 雅各认出那件彩衣,说:“这是我儿子的衣服,一定是野兽把他吃了,约瑟一定被撕碎了!” 34 雅各撕裂自己的衣服,束上麻布,为约瑟哀伤了好几天。 35 他的儿女都来安慰他,他却不肯接受他们的安慰,说:“我一定会凄凄惨惨地下到阴间,去我儿子那里。”约瑟的父亲为他哀哭。

36 那些米甸人把约瑟带到埃及后,把他卖给了法老的内臣——护卫长波提乏。

約瑟的夢

37 雅各住在他父親寄居的迦南, 以下是有關雅各一家的記載。

十七歲的少年約瑟跟哥哥們,就是雅各的妾辟拉和悉帕生的兒子們一同放羊。他向父親報告哥哥們做的壞事。 約瑟是以色列年老時生的,以色列特別寵愛他,為他做了一件彩衣。 約瑟的哥哥們見父親偏愛他,就懷恨在心,對他惡言相向。

約瑟做了一個夢,並告訴了哥哥們,他們更恨他了。 約瑟對哥哥們說:「你們聽聽我做的夢—— 我們在田裡捆莊稼,我捆的莊稼站起來,你們捆的莊稼都圍著我捆的莊稼下拜。」 他的哥哥們回答說:「難道你真想做我們的王統治我們嗎?」他們因約瑟的夢和他說的話而更恨他。

後來,約瑟又做了一個夢,他又去對哥哥們說:「你們聽聽我做的另一個夢,我夢見太陽、月亮和十一顆星星都向我下拜。」 10 約瑟把夢告訴了父親和哥哥們,他父親就責備他說:「你做的是什麼夢!難道你的父母弟兄都要來向你俯伏下拜嗎?」 11 約瑟的哥哥們嫉恨他,他父親卻把這些話記在心裡。

12 約瑟的哥哥們到示劍放父親的羊。 13 以色列把約瑟叫來,對他說:「你哥哥們在示劍放羊,我要派你去他們那裡。」約瑟說:「好的。」 14 以色列說:「你去看看你哥哥們以及羊群是否平安,然後回來告訴我。」於是,約瑟就從希伯崙谷出發去示劍。 15 有人見他在田野走迷了路,就問他:「你在找什麼?」 16 約瑟回答說:「我在找我哥哥們,你知道他們在哪裡放羊嗎?」 17 那人說:「他們已經走了,我聽他們說要到多坍去。」約瑟就趕往多坍,在那裡找到了他們。

18 約瑟的哥哥們遠遠看見他走來,趁他還沒有到跟前,就合謀要害死他。 19 他們彼此商量說:「看!做夢的來了。 20 來吧!我們殺了他,把他扔在井裡,就說有野獸把他吃掉了,看他的夢怎麼實現。」 21 呂便聽後想救約瑟的性命,就說:「我們不要害他性命。」 22 他又說:「不要殺人流血,把他扔在這口井裡吧,不要下手害他。」呂便想救約瑟,把他交回給父親。 23 這時候,約瑟來了,他們就脫去他身上的彩衣, 24 把他扔到井裡。當時,那口井是乾的,沒有水。

25 他們坐下來吃飯的時候,看見一隊從基列來的以實瑪利商人用駱駝馱著香料、乳香、沒藥去埃及。 26 猶大對他的眾弟兄說:「我們殺死弟弟、掩蓋罪行有什麼益處呢? 27 不如把他賣給以實瑪利人,不要下手害他,他畢竟是我們的弟弟,我們的骨肉啊!」其他弟兄都贊成他的意見。 28 於是,那些米甸商人經過的時候,他們就把約瑟從井裡拉上來,以二百二十克銀子的價錢把他賣給了以實瑪利人。這些商人把他帶到埃及去了。

29 呂便回到井邊發現約瑟不見了,就傷心地撕裂了身上的衣服, 30 回到弟兄們那裡說:「那少年不見了,我現在怎麼辦?」 31 他們宰了一隻公山羊,把血染在約瑟的彩衣上, 32 拿去給父親,說:「我們撿到這件衣服,你看看是不是你兒子的?」 33 雅各認出那件彩衣,說:「這是我兒子的衣服,一定是野獸把他吃了,約瑟一定被撕碎了!」 34 雅各撕裂自己的衣服,束上麻布,為約瑟哀傷了好幾天。 35 他的兒女都來安慰他,他卻不肯接受他們的安慰,說:「我一定會淒淒慘慘地下到陰間,去我兒子那裡。」約瑟的父親為他哀哭。

36 那些米甸人把約瑟帶到埃及後,把他賣給了法老的內臣——護衛長波提乏。

'創 世 記 37 ' not found for the version: Chinese New Testament: Easy-to-Read Version.

Joseph’s Dreams

37 Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed,(A) the land of Canaan.(B)

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.

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) 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.

Joseph had a dream,(P) and when he told it to his brothers,(Q) they hated him all the more.(R) He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: 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)

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.

Then he had another dream,(W) and he told it to his brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars(X) were bowing down to me.”(Y)

10 When he told his father as well as his brothers,(Z) his father rebuked(AA) him and said, “What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?”(AB) 11 His brothers were jealous of him,(AC) but his father kept the matter in mind.(AD)

Joseph Sold by His Brothers

12 Now his brothers had gone to graze their father’s flocks near Shechem,(AE) 13 and Israel(AF) said to Joseph, “As you know, your brothers are grazing the flocks near Shechem.(AG) Come, I am going to send you to them.”

“Very well,” he replied.

14 So he said to him, “Go and see if all is well with your brothers(AH) and with the flocks, and bring word back to me.” Then he sent him off from the Valley of Hebron.(AI)

When Joseph arrived at Shechem, 15 a man found him wandering around in the fields and asked him, “What are you looking for?”

16 He replied, “I’m looking for my brothers. Can you tell me where they are grazing their flocks?”

17 “They have moved on from here,” the man answered. “I heard them say, ‘Let’s go to Dothan.(AJ)’”

So Joseph went after his brothers and found them near Dothan. 18 But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him.(AK)

19 “Here comes that dreamer!(AL)” they said to each other. 20 “Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns(AM) and say that a ferocious animal(AN) devoured him.(AO) Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.”(AP)

21 When Reuben(AQ) heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. “Let’s not take his life,” he said.(AR) 22 “Don’t shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern(AS) here in the wilderness, but don’t lay a hand on him.” Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father.(AT)

23 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the ornate robe(AU) he was wearing— 24 and they took him and threw him into the cistern.(AV) The cistern was empty; there was no water in it.

25 As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites(AW) coming from Gilead.(AX) Their camels were loaded with spices, balm(AY) and myrrh,(AZ) and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt.(BA)

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

28 So when the Midianite(BF) merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern(BG) and sold(BH) him for twenty shekels[b] of silver(BI) to the Ishmaelites,(BJ) who took him to Egypt.(BK)

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

31 Then they got Joseph’s robe,(BN) slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood.(BO) 32 They took the ornate robe(BP) 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(BQ) has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces.”(BR)

34 Then Jacob tore his clothes,(BS) put on sackcloth(BT) and mourned for his son many days.(BU) 35 All his sons and daughters came to comfort him,(BV) but he refused to be comforted.(BW) “No,” he said, “I will continue to mourn until I join my son(BX) in the grave.(BY)” So his father wept for him.

36 Meanwhile, the Midianites[c](BZ) sold Joseph(CA) in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard.(CB)

Footnotes

  1. Genesis 37:3 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain; also in verses 23 and 32.
  2. Genesis 37:28 That is, about 8 ounces or about 230 grams
  3. Genesis 37:36 Samaritan Pentateuch, Septuagint, Vulgate and Syriac (see also verse 28); Masoretic Text Medanites

约瑟遭陷害

39 约瑟被以实玛利商人带到埃及,卖给了法老的内臣护卫长波提乏。 约瑟住在他的埃及主人家中,耶和华与他同在,使他凡事亨通。 他主人看出耶和华与他同在,使他凡事亨通, 就赏识他,让他服侍自己,派他管理自己家中一切事务。 自从埃及人波提乏派约瑟管理自己家中一切事务以后,耶和华因为约瑟的缘故而赐福他主人家,使他主人家里和田间的一切都蒙福。 于是,波提乏把一切事都交给约瑟管理,除了自己要吃的食物以外,什么也不管。

约瑟体格健壮,相貌英俊。 后来,波提乏的妻子看中了约瑟,向他眉目传情,要引诱他上床。 约瑟拒绝了她,说:“我主人信任我,把家里一切事都交给我管理。 在这家里,没有人比我权力更大了,我主人把一切都交给了我,唯独你除外,因为你是他的妻子。我怎能做这种丑事得罪上帝呢?” 10 但她还是每天勾引约瑟,约瑟不从,并尽量避开她。

11 一天,约瑟进屋里办事,那时屋里没有其他人。 12 波提乏的妻子抓住约瑟的外衣,硬要与他上床。约瑟丢下外衣摆脱她逃了出去。 13 她见约瑟丢下外衣逃了出去, 14 就叫来家里的人,对他们说:“你们看,我丈夫带回家的这个希伯来人戏弄我们!他进来要与我上床,我就大声呼喊, 15 他听见我大声喊叫,就把衣服丢在我这里,逃了出去。” 16 她把约瑟的外衣留在身边,等她丈夫回来后, 17 就对他说:“你带回来的那个希伯来人进来要戏弄我, 18 我大声喊叫,他就把衣服丢在我这里,逃了出去。”

19 波提乏听了妻子讲述约瑟如何对待她之后,勃然大怒, 20 把约瑟关进王囚禁犯人的监牢。 21 约瑟坐牢的时候,耶和华与他同在,恩待他,使监狱长赏识他。 22 监狱长把狱中所有囚犯及一切事务都交给约瑟管理。 23 凡交到约瑟手中的事情,监狱长都很放心,因为耶和华与约瑟同在,使他凡事亨通。

约瑟解梦

40 后来,埃及王的侍酒总管和膳食总管得罪了王, 王非常愤怒, 把他们囚禁在护卫长波提乏府内的监牢里,也就是约瑟被囚的地方。 护卫长派约瑟去伺候他们。他们在监里待了一段日子。

一天晚上,他们俩都做了梦,他们的梦各有不同的意思。 第二天早上,约瑟过来见他们神情沮丧, 就问:“你们今天为什么满面愁容?” 他们回答说:“我们都做了梦,可是没有人给我们解梦。”约瑟说:“解梦的能力不是来自上帝吗?请你们把梦告诉我。”

侍酒总管便把自己的梦告诉约瑟,说:“我梦见一棵葡萄树, 10 树上有三根枝子,枝子发芽开花,结满了成熟的葡萄。 11 我手上拿着法老的酒杯,摘下葡萄,把汁挤在酒杯中,然后递给法老。” 12 约瑟说:“这梦的意思是,三根枝子代表三天, 13 三天之内,法老必定释放你,恢复你侍酒总管的职位。你仍要和从前一样伺候法老饮酒。 14 当你再被重用的时候,请你记得恩待我,在法老面前提及我,救我出狱。 15 我是从希伯来人那里被拐来的,无辜被囚在监。”

16 膳食总管见梦解得好,就对约瑟说:“我也做了个梦,我梦见自己头上顶着三筐白饼, 17 最上面的一筐里放着为法老烤制的各种食物,有鸟来吃筐内的食物。” 18 约瑟说:“这梦的意思是,三筐就是三天, 19 三天之内,法老必砍下你的头,把你挂在木头上,鸟要来吃你的肉。”

20 第三天是法老的生日,他宴请文武百官,把侍酒总管和膳食总管从监牢里提出来, 21 恢复了侍酒总管的职位,让他仍旧伺候自己饮酒, 22 却处死了膳食总管,正应验了约瑟的话。 23 然而,法老的侍酒总管把约瑟忘了。

约瑟为法老解梦

41 两年后,法老做了个梦,梦见自己站在尼罗河边, 有七头肥美、健壮的母牛从河里上来,在芦苇丛中吃草。 随后又有七头丑陋、瘦弱的母牛从河里上来,与那七头母牛一同站在河边。 后来,七头丑陋、瘦弱的母牛吃掉了七头肥美、健壮的母牛。这时,法老醒了过来。

之后,他又睡着了,又做了个梦。他梦见一株麦子上长了七个饱满的穗子。 后来这株麦子上面又长了七个干瘪的穗子,它们被东风吹干了。 七个干瘪的穗子吞食了七个饱满的穗子。法老醒过来,原来是一场梦。

早上法老心中不安,就派人召来埃及所有的术士和博学之士,把梦告诉他们,可是没有一个人能为他解梦。

后来,侍酒总管对法老说:“我今天才想起我的罪过。 10 我从前和膳食总管惹王生气,被王囚禁在护卫长府内的牢里。 11 一天晚上,我俩都做了梦。 12 当时有一个希伯来青年跟我们一起被囚在牢里,他是护卫长的仆人。我们把梦告诉他,他就分别为我们解梦。 13 后来,他为我们解的梦都应验了,我恢复了原职,膳食总管被挂在木头上处死了。”

14 于是,法老派人去召约瑟,他们急忙释放约瑟。约瑟剃头刮脸,更换衣服,去见法老。 15 法老对约瑟说:“我做了一个梦,没有人能为我解梦。我听说你能解梦。” 16 约瑟回答说:“我自己不会解梦,但上帝却能给王圆满的解释。”

17 法老对约瑟说:“我梦见自己站在尼罗河边, 18 有七头肥美、健壮的母牛从河里上来,在芦苇丛中吃草。 19 随后又有七头丑陋、瘦弱的母牛从河里上来,我在埃及从来没有见过有这么丑陋的牛。 20 这些丑陋、瘦弱的母牛吃掉先前的七头肥母牛。 21 可是,它们吃了以后却仍然像以前那么丑陋。这时,我就醒了。 22 后来我又梦见一株麦子,上面长了七个饱满的穗子, 23 接着又长出七个干瘪的穗子, 24 这些干瘪的穗子吞了那七个饱满的穗子。我把梦告诉了术士,却没有人能为我解梦。”

25 约瑟对法老说:“王的梦都是同一个意思,上帝已经借着梦把祂将要做的事指示王了。 26 七头肥美的母牛和七个饱满的穗子都代表七年,是同样的意思。 27 七头瘦弱、丑陋的母牛和七个干瘪、被东风吹干的穗子也代表七年,是七年饥荒。 28 正如我刚才说的,上帝已经把祂将要做的事向王显明了。 29 埃及全境很快会有七年大丰收, 30 随后是七年饥荒肆虐全国,之前的丰收将被忘记。 31 饥荒将非常严重,之前的丰收将荡然无存。 32 王的梦出现了两次,表示上帝的心意已定,上帝必很快成就这事。 33 王应该选一个精明的人,派他治理埃及。 34 王也应该在各地委派官员,在七年丰收期内征收全国出产的五分之一, 35 把在丰年收集的粮食储存在各城,归王管理。 36 这些粮食要留到七年饥荒时用,免得这片土地被饥荒毁灭。”

约瑟做埃及宰相

37 法老和他所有的臣仆都赞同约瑟的建议。 38 法老对臣仆说:“我们哪里找像这样有上帝的灵同在的人呢?” 39 法老对约瑟说:“上帝既然把梦的意思指示给你,可见没人有你这样的见识和智慧。 40 我要派你管理我家,我的人民都要遵从你的命令,只有我权力比你大。” 41 法老又说:“我现在派你治理埃及全国。” 42 于是,法老摘下手上用来盖印的戒指,戴在约瑟的手上,给他穿上细麻袍,把金链戴在他颈上, 43 让他坐在自己的第二辆御车上,并有人在御车前高呼:“跪下!”这样,法老派约瑟治理整个埃及。 44 法老对约瑟说:“我是法老,但没有你的命令,埃及的任何人都不得擅自行事。” 45 法老赐给约瑟一个名字叫撒发那忒·巴内亚,又把安城祭司波提非拉的女儿亚西纳赐给他为妻。约瑟巡视了整个埃及。

46 约瑟三十岁开始为法老效劳,他离开法老去巡视埃及各地。 47 七个丰年之内,埃及粮食大丰收, 48 约瑟收集七个丰年出产的所有粮食,储藏进各城,每一座城附近出产的粮食都存放在本城。 49 约瑟积存了大量五谷,多如海沙,不可胜数。

50 荒年到来前,安城祭司波提非拉的女儿亚西纳给约瑟生了两个儿子。 51 约瑟给长子取名叫玛拿西,因为他说:“上帝使我忘记一切的困苦和我父亲家。” 52 约瑟给次子取名叫以法莲,因为他说:“上帝使我在受苦之地昌盛。”

53 七个丰年结束后, 54 七个荒年接踵而至,正如约瑟所言。各地都有饥荒,只有埃及全国有粮食。 55 后来,埃及全国也闹饥荒,百姓就向法老求粮,法老对他们说:“你们去找约瑟吧,要照他的吩咐做。”

56 饥荒蔓延到整个埃及时,约瑟便开仓卖粮给埃及人。那时,埃及的饥荒非常严重。 57 各国的人都到埃及来向约瑟买粮,因为天下到处都是大饥荒。

約瑟遭陷害

39 約瑟被以實瑪利商人帶到埃及,賣給了法老的內臣護衛長波提乏。 約瑟住在他的埃及主人家中,耶和華與他同在,使他凡事亨通。 他主人看出耶和華與他同在,使他凡事亨通, 就賞識他,讓他服侍自己,派他管理自己家中一切事務。 自從埃及人波提乏派約瑟管理自己家中一切事務以後,耶和華因為約瑟的緣故而賜福他主人家,使他主人家裡和田間的一切都蒙福。 於是,波提乏把一切事都交給約瑟管理,除了自己要吃的食物以外,什麼也不管。

約瑟體格健壯,相貌英俊。 後來,波提乏的妻子看中了約瑟,向他眉目傳情,要引誘他上床。 約瑟拒絕了她,說:「我主人信任我,把家裡一切事都交給我管理。 在這家裡,沒有人比我權力更大了,我主人把一切都交給了我,唯獨你除外,因為你是他的妻子。我怎能做這種醜事得罪上帝呢?」 10 但她還是每天勾引約瑟,約瑟不從,並儘量避開她。

11 一天,約瑟進屋裡辦事,那時屋裡沒有其他人。 12 波提乏的妻子抓住約瑟的外衣,硬要與他上床。約瑟丟下外衣擺脫她逃了出去。 13 她見約瑟丟下外衣逃了出去, 14 就叫來家裡的人,對他們說:「你們看,我丈夫帶回家的這個希伯來人戲弄我們!他進來要與我上床,我就大聲呼喊, 15 他聽見我大聲喊叫,就把衣服丟在我這裡,逃了出去。」 16 她把約瑟的外衣留在身邊,等她丈夫回來後, 17 就對他說:「你帶回來的那個希伯來人進來要戲弄我, 18 我大聲喊叫,他就把衣服丟在我這裡,逃了出去。」

19 波提乏聽了妻子講述約瑟如何對待她之後,勃然大怒, 20 把約瑟關進王囚禁犯人的監牢。 21 約瑟坐牢的時候,耶和華與他同在,恩待他,使監獄長賞識他。 22 監獄長把獄中所有囚犯及一切事務都交給約瑟管理。 23 凡交到約瑟手中的事情,監獄長都很放心,因為耶和華與約瑟同在,使他凡事亨通。

約瑟解夢

40 後來,埃及王的侍酒總管和膳食總管得罪了王, 王非常憤怒, 把他們囚禁在護衛長波提乏府內的監牢裡,也就是約瑟被囚的地方。 護衛長派約瑟去伺候他們。他們在監裡待了一段日子。

一天晚上,他們倆都做了夢,他們的夢各有不同的意思。 第二天早上,約瑟過來見他們神情沮喪, 就問:「你們今天為什麼滿面愁容?」 他們回答說:「我們都做了夢,可是沒有人給我們解夢。」約瑟說:「解夢的能力不是來自上帝嗎?請你們把夢告訴我。」

侍酒總管便把自己的夢告訴約瑟,說:「我夢見一棵葡萄樹, 10 樹上有三根枝子,枝子發芽開花,結滿了成熟的葡萄。 11 我手上拿著法老的酒杯,摘下葡萄,把汁擠在酒杯中,然後遞給法老。」 12 約瑟說:「這夢的意思是,三根枝子代表三天, 13 三天之內,法老必定釋放你,恢復你侍酒總管的職位。你仍要和從前一樣伺候法老飲酒。 14 當你再被重用的時候,請你記得恩待我,在法老面前提及我,救我出獄。 15 我是從希伯來人那裡被拐來的,無辜被囚在監。」

16 膳食總管見夢解得好,就對約瑟說:「我也做了個夢,我夢見自己頭上頂著三筐白餅, 17 最上面的一筐裡放著為法老烤製的各種食物,有鳥來吃筐內的食物。」 18 約瑟說:「這夢的意思是,三筐就是三天, 19 三天之內,法老必砍下你的頭,把你掛在木頭上,鳥要來吃你的肉。」

20 第三天是法老的生日,他宴請文武百官,把侍酒總管和膳食總管從監牢裡提出來, 21 恢復了侍酒總管的職位,讓他仍舊伺候自己飲酒, 22 卻處死了膳食總管,正應驗了約瑟的話。 23 然而,法老的侍酒總管把約瑟忘了。

約瑟為法老解夢

41 兩年後,法老做了個夢,夢見自己站在尼羅河邊, 有七頭肥美、健壯的母牛從河裡上來,在蘆葦叢中吃草。 隨後又有七頭醜陋、瘦弱的母牛從河裡上來,與那七頭母牛一同站在河邊。 後來,七頭醜陋、瘦弱的母牛吃掉了七頭肥美、健壯的母牛。這時,法老醒了過來。

之後,他又睡著了,又做了個夢。他夢見一株麥子上長了七個飽滿的穗子。 後來這株麥子上面又長了七個乾癟的穗子,它們被東風吹乾了。 七個乾癟的穗子吞食了七個飽滿的穗子。法老醒過來,原來是一場夢。

早上法老心中不安,就派人召來埃及所有的術士和博學之士,把夢告訴他們,可是沒有一個人能為他解夢。

後來,侍酒總管對法老說:「我今天才想起我的罪過。 10 我從前和膳食總管惹王生氣,被王囚禁在護衛長府內的牢裡。 11 一天晚上,我倆都做了夢。 12 當時有一個希伯來青年跟我們一起被囚在牢裡,他是護衛長的僕人。我們把夢告訴他,他就分別為我們解夢。 13 後來,他為我們解的夢都應驗了,我恢復了原職,膳食總管被掛在木頭上處死了。」

14 於是,法老派人去召約瑟,他們急忙釋放約瑟。約瑟剃頭刮臉,更換衣服,去見法老。 15 法老對約瑟說:「我做了一個夢,沒有人能為我解夢。我聽說你能解夢。」 16 約瑟回答說:「我自己不會解夢,但上帝卻能給王圓滿的解釋。」

17 法老對約瑟說:「我夢見自己站在尼羅河邊, 18 有七頭肥美、健壯的母牛從河裡上來,在蘆葦叢中吃草。 19 隨後又有七頭醜陋、瘦弱的母牛從河裡上來,我在埃及從來沒有見過有這麼醜陋的牛。 20 這些醜陋、瘦弱的母牛吃掉先前的七頭肥母牛。 21 可是,牠們吃了以後卻仍然像以前那麼醜陋。這時,我就醒了。 22 後來我又夢見一株麥子,上面長了七個飽滿的穗子, 23 接著又長出七個乾癟的穗子, 24 這些乾癟的穗子吞了那七個飽滿的穗子。我把夢告訴了術士,卻沒有人能為我解夢。」

25 約瑟對法老說:「王的夢都是同一個意思,上帝已經藉著夢把祂將要做的事指示王了。 26 七頭肥美的母牛和七個飽滿的穗子都代表七年,是同樣的意思。 27 七頭瘦弱、醜陋的母牛和七個乾癟、被東風吹乾的穗子也代表七年,是七年饑荒。 28 正如我剛才說的,上帝已經把祂將要做的事向王顯明了。 29 埃及全境很快會有七年大豐收, 30 隨後是七年饑荒肆虐全國,之前的豐收將被忘記。 31 饑荒將非常嚴重,之前的豐收將蕩然無存。 32 王的夢出現了兩次,表示上帝的心意已定,上帝必很快成就這事。 33 王應該選一個精明的人,派他治理埃及。 34 王也應該在各地委派官員,在七年豐收期內徵收全國出產的五分之一, 35 把在豐年收集的糧食儲存在各城,歸王管理。 36 這些糧食要留到七年饑荒時用,免得這片土地被饑荒毀滅。」

約瑟做埃及宰相

37 法老和他所有的臣僕都贊同約瑟的建議。 38 法老對臣僕說:「我們哪裡找像這樣有上帝的靈同在的人呢?」 39 法老對約瑟說:「上帝既然把夢的意思指示給你,可見沒人有你這樣的見識和智慧。 40 我要派你管理我家,我的人民都要遵從你的命令,只有我權力比你大。」 41 法老又說:「我現在派你治理埃及全國。」 42 於是,法老摘下手上用來蓋印的戒指,戴在約瑟的手上,給他穿上細麻袍,把金鏈戴在他頸上, 43 讓他坐在自己的第二輛御車上,並有人在御車前高呼:「跪下!」這樣,法老派約瑟治理整個埃及。 44 法老對約瑟說:「我是法老,但沒有你的命令,埃及的任何人都不得擅自行事。」 45 法老賜給約瑟一個名字叫撒發那忒·巴內亞,又把安城祭司波提非拉的女兒亞西納賜給他為妻。約瑟巡視了整個埃及。

46 約瑟三十歲開始為法老效勞,他離開法老去巡視埃及各地。 47 七個豐年之內,埃及糧食大豐收, 48 約瑟收集七個豐年出產的所有糧食,儲藏進各城,每一座城附近出產的糧食都存放在本城。 49 約瑟積存了大量五穀,多如海沙,不可勝數。

50 荒年到來前,安城祭司波提非拉的女兒亞西納給約瑟生了兩個兒子。 51 約瑟給長子取名叫瑪拿西,因為他說:「上帝使我忘記一切的困苦和我父親家。」 52 約瑟給次子取名叫以法蓮,因為他說:「上帝使我在受苦之地昌盛。」

53 七個豐年結束後, 54 七個荒年接踵而至,正如約瑟所言。各地都有饑荒,只有埃及全國有糧食。 55 後來,埃及全國也鬧饑荒,百姓就向法老求糧,法老對他們說:「你們去找約瑟吧,要照他的吩咐做。」

56 饑荒蔓延到整個埃及時,約瑟便開倉賣糧給埃及人。那時,埃及的饑荒非常嚴重。 57 各國的人都到埃及來向約瑟買糧,因為天下到處都是大饑荒。

'創 世 記 39-41' not found for the version: Chinese New Testament: Easy-to-Read Version.

Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife

39 Now Joseph(A) had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard,(B) bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there.(C)

The Lord was with Joseph(D) so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the Lord was with him(E) and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did,(F) Joseph found favor in his eyes(G) and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household,(H) and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.(I) From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the Lord blessed the household(J) of the Egyptian because of Joseph.(K) The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field.(L) So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care;(M) with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate.

Now Joseph was well-built and handsome,(N) and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!”(O)

But he refused.(P) “With me in charge,” he told her, “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care.(Q) No one is greater in this house than I am.(R) My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”(S) 10 And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused(T) to go to bed with her or even be with her.

11 One day he went into the house to attend to his duties,(U) and none of the household servants(V) was inside. 12 She caught him by his cloak(W) and said, “Come to bed with me!”(X) But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.(Y)

13 When she saw that he had left his cloak in her hand and had run out of the house, 14 she called her household servants.(Z) “Look,” she said to them, “this Hebrew(AA) has been brought to us to make sport of us!(AB) He came in here to sleep with me, but I screamed.(AC) 15 When he heard me scream for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.”(AD)

16 She kept his cloak beside her until his master came home. 17 Then she told him this story:(AE) “That Hebrew(AF) slave(AG) you brought us came to me to make sport of me. 18 But as soon as I screamed for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.”

19 When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, “This is how your slave treated me,” he burned with anger.(AH) 20 Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison,(AI) the place where the king’s prisoners were confined.

But while Joseph was there in the prison, 21 the Lord was with him;(AJ) he showed him kindness(AK) and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.(AL) 22 So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there.(AM) 23 The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s(AN) care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.(AO)

The Cupbearer and the Baker

40 Some time later, the cupbearer(AP) and the baker(AQ) of the king of Egypt offended their master, the king of Egypt. Pharaoh was angry(AR) with his two officials,(AS) the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, and put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard,(AT) in the same prison where Joseph was confined. The captain of the guard(AU) assigned them to Joseph,(AV) and he attended them.

After they had been in custody(AW) for some time, each of the two men—the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were being held in prison—had a dream(AX) the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own.(AY)

When Joseph came to them the next morning, he saw that they were dejected. So he asked Pharaoh’s officials who were in custody(AZ) with him in his master’s house, “Why do you look so sad today?”(BA)

“We both had dreams,” they answered, “but there is no one to interpret them.”(BB)

Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God?(BC) Tell me your dreams.”

So the chief cupbearer(BD) told Joseph his dream. He said to him, “In my dream I saw a vine in front of me, 10 and on the vine were three branches. As soon as it budded, it blossomed,(BE) and its clusters ripened into grapes. 11 Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes, squeezed them into Pharaoh’s cup and put the cup in his hand.”

12 “This is what it means,(BF)” Joseph said to him. “The three branches are three days.(BG) 13 Within three days(BH) Pharaoh will lift up your head(BI) and restore you to your position, and you will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand, just as you used to do when you were his cupbearer.(BJ) 14 But when all goes well with you, remember me(BK) and show me kindness;(BL) mention me to Pharaoh(BM) and get me out of this prison. 15 I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews,(BN) and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.”(BO)

16 When the chief baker(BP) saw that Joseph had given a favorable interpretation,(BQ) he said to Joseph, “I too had a dream: On my head were three baskets(BR) of bread.[a] 17 In the top basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head.”

18 “This is what it means,” Joseph said. “The three baskets are three days.(BS) 19 Within three days(BT) Pharaoh will lift off your head(BU) and impale your body on a pole.(BV) And the birds will eat away your flesh.”(BW)

20 Now the third day(BX) was Pharaoh’s birthday,(BY) and he gave a feast for all his officials.(BZ) He lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker(CA) in the presence of his officials: 21 He restored the chief cupbearer(CB) to his position,(CC) so that he once again put the cup into Pharaoh’s hand(CD) 22 but he impaled the chief baker,(CE) just as Joseph had said to them in his interpretation.(CF)

23 The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.(CG)

Pharaoh’s Dreams

41 When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream:(CH) He was standing by the Nile,(CI) when out of the river there came up seven cows, sleek and fat,(CJ) and they grazed among the reeds.(CK) After them, seven other cows, ugly and gaunt, came up out of the Nile and stood beside those on the riverbank. And the cows that were ugly and gaunt ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up.(CL)

He fell asleep again and had a second dream: Seven heads of grain,(CM) healthy and good, were growing on a single stalk. After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted—thin and scorched by the east wind.(CN) The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads. Then Pharaoh woke up;(CO) it had been a dream.

In the morning his mind was troubled,(CP) so he sent for all the magicians(CQ) and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him.(CR)

Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “Today I am reminded of my shortcomings.(CS) 10 Pharaoh was once angry with his servants,(CT) and he imprisoned me and the chief baker in the house of the captain of the guard.(CU) 11 Each of us had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own.(CV) 12 Now a young Hebrew(CW) was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard.(CX) We told him our dreams, and he interpreted them for us, giving each man the interpretation of his dream.(CY) 13 And things turned out exactly as he interpreted them to us: I was restored to my position, and the other man was impaled.(CZ)

14 So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon.(DA) When he had shaved(DB) and changed his clothes,(DC) he came before Pharaoh.

15 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it.(DD) But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”(DE)

16 “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”(DF)

17 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile,(DG) 18 when out of the river there came up seven cows, fat and sleek, and they grazed among the reeds.(DH) 19 After them, seven other cows came up—scrawny and very ugly and lean. I had never seen such ugly cows in all the land of Egypt. 20 The lean, ugly cows ate up the seven fat cows that came up first. 21 But even after they ate them, no one could tell that they had done so; they looked just as ugly as before. Then I woke up.

22 “In my dream I saw seven heads of grain, full and good, growing on a single stalk. 23 After them, seven other heads sprouted—withered and thin and scorched by the east wind. 24 The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven good heads. I told this to the magicians, but none of them could explain it to me.(DI)

25 Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same.(DJ) God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do.(DK) 26 The seven good cows(DL) are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream. 27 The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind: They are seven years of famine.(DM)

28 “It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do.(DN) 29 Seven years of great abundance(DO) are coming throughout the land of Egypt, 30 but seven years of famine(DP) will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land.(DQ) 31 The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe. 32 The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided(DR) by God, and God will do it soon.(DS)

33 “And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man(DT) and put him in charge of the land of Egypt.(DU) 34 Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners(DV) over the land to take a fifth(DW) of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance.(DX) 35 They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food.(DY) 36 This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt,(DZ) so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.”

37 The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials.(EA) 38 So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God[b]?”(EB)

39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you,(EC) there is no one so discerning and wise as you.(ED) 40 You shall be in charge of my palace,(EE) and all my people are to submit to your orders.(EF) Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.(EG)

Joseph in Charge of Egypt

41 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.”(EH) 42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring(EI) from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes(EJ) of fine linen(EK) and put a gold chain around his neck.(EL) 43 He had him ride in a chariot(EM) as his second-in-command,[c](EN) and people shouted before him, “Make way[d]!”(EO) Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt.(EP)

44 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, but without your word no one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt.”(EQ) 45 Pharaoh gave Joseph(ER) the name Zaphenath-Paneah and gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest(ES) of On,[e](ET) to be his wife.(EU) And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt.

46 Joseph was thirty years old(EV) when he entered the service(EW) of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from Pharaoh’s presence and traveled throughout Egypt. 47 During the seven years of abundance(EX) the land produced plentifully. 48 Joseph collected all the food produced in those seven years of abundance in Egypt and stored it in the cities.(EY) In each city he put the food grown in the fields surrounding it. 49 Joseph stored up huge quantities of grain, like the sand of the sea;(EZ) it was so much that he stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure.

50 Before the years of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On.(FA) 51 Joseph named his firstborn(FB) Manasseh[f](FC) and said, “It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” 52 The second son he named Ephraim[g](FD) and said, “It is because God has made me fruitful(FE) in the land of my suffering.”

53 The seven years of abundance in Egypt came to an end, 54 and the seven years of famine(FF) began,(FG) just as Joseph had said. There was famine in all the other lands, but in the whole land of Egypt there was food. 55 When all Egypt began to feel the famine,(FH) the people cried to Pharaoh for food. Then Pharaoh told all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph and do what he tells you.”(FI)

56 When the famine had spread over the whole country, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians,(FJ) for the famine(FK) was severe throughout Egypt.(FL) 57 And all the world came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph,(FM) because the famine was severe everywhere.(FN)

Footnotes

  1. Genesis 40:16 Or three wicker baskets
  2. Genesis 41:38 Or of the gods
  3. Genesis 41:43 Or in the chariot of his second-in-command; or in his second chariot
  4. Genesis 41:43 Or Bow down
  5. Genesis 41:45 That is, Heliopolis; also in verse 50
  6. Genesis 41:51 Manasseh sounds like and may be derived from the Hebrew for forget.
  7. Genesis 41:52 Ephraim sounds like the Hebrew for twice fruitful.