²⁵ Joseph said to Pharaoh, “Pharaoh has actually had one dream. God has announced to Pharaoh what he is about to do. ²⁶ The seven healthy cows are seven years, and the seven healthy ears of grain are seven years. It’s actually one dream. ²⁷ The seven thin and frail cows, climbing up after them, are seven years. The seven thin ears of grain, scorched by the east wind, are seven years of famine. ²⁸ It’s just as I told Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. ²⁹ Seven years of great abundance are now coming throughout the entire land of Egypt. ³⁰ After them, seven years of famine will appear, and all of the abundance in the land of Egypt will be forgotten. The famine will devastate the land. ³¹ No one will remember the abundance in the land because the famine that follows will be so very severe. ³² The dream occurred to Pharaoh twice because God has determined to do it, and God will make it happen soon.

Joseph’s rise to power

³³ “Now Pharaoh should find an intelligent, wise man and give him authority over the land of Egypt.

³⁷ This advice seemed wise to Pharaoh and all his servants, ³⁸ and Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man with more God-given gifts^[a] than this one?” ³⁹ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, no one is as intelligent and wise as you are. ⁴⁰ You will be in charge of my kingdom,^[b] and all my people will obey^[c] your command. Only as the enthroned king will I be greater than you.”

⁵⁰ Before the years of famine arrived, Asenath the daughter of Potiphera, priest of Heliopolis,^[a] gave birth to two sons for Joseph. ⁵¹ Joseph named the oldest son Manasseh,^[b] “because,” he said, “God has helped me forget all of my troubles and everyone in my father’s household.” ⁵² He named the second Ephraim,^[c] “because,” he said, “God has given me children in the land where I’ve been treated harshly.”