²⁹ Seven years of great abundance^(A) are coming throughout the land of Egypt, ³⁰ but seven years of famine^(B) will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land.^{(C) 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^(D) by God, and God will do it soon.^(E)

³³ “And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man^(F) and put him in charge of the land of Egypt.^{(G) 34} Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners^(H) over the land to take a fifth^(I) of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance.^{(J) 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.^{(K) 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,^(L) so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.”

¹⁵ As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

¹⁶ Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

¹⁷ “We have here only five loaves^(A) of bread and two fish,” they answered.

¹⁸ “Bring them here to me,” he said. ¹⁹ And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves.^(B) Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. ²⁰ They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. ²¹ The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.