⁵ And now, do not be distressed^(A) and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here,^(B) because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.^(C)

²⁰ You intended to harm me,^(A) but God intended^(B) it for good^(C) to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.^(D)

²³ This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge;^(A) and you, with the help of wicked men,^[a] put him to death by nailing him to the cross.^{(B) 24} But God raised him from the dead,^(C) freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.^(D)

²¹ and said:

⁷ But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant^(A) on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.^[a](B)

⁸ “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God.^(C) He made me father^(D) to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.^(E)

⁹ “Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph,^(A) they sold him as a slave into Egypt.^(B) But God was with him^{(C) 10} and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh king of Egypt. So Pharaoh made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace.^(D)

¹¹ “Then a famine struck all Egypt and Canaan, bringing great suffering, and our ancestors could not find food.^{(E) 12} When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our forefathers on their first visit.^{(F) 13} On their second visit, Joseph told his brothers who he was,^(G) and Pharaoh learned about Joseph’s family.^{(H) 14} After this, Joseph sent for his father Jacob and his whole family,^(I) seventy-five in all.^{(J) 15} Then Jacob went down to Egypt, where he and our ancestors died.^(K)

³⁴ Jesus said, “Father,^(A) forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”^[a](B) And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.^(C)

Comfort for God’s People