²⁷ Now the Israelites settled in Egypt in the region of Goshen.^(A) They acquired property there^(B) and were fruitful and increased greatly in number.^(C)

²⁸ Jacob lived in Egypt^(D) seventeen years, and the years of his life were a hundred and forty-seven.^{(E) 29} When the time drew near for Israel^(F) to die,^(G) he called for his son Joseph and said to him, “If I have found favor in your eyes,^(H) put your hand under my thigh^(I) and promise that you will show me kindness^(J) and faithfulness.^(K) Do not bury me in Egypt, ³⁰ but when I rest with my fathers,^(L) carry me out of Egypt and bury me where they are buried.”^(M)

“I will do as you say,” he said.

³¹ “Swear to me,”^(N) he said. Then Joseph swore to him,^(O) and Israel^(P) worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.^[a](Q)

¹⁴ After burying his father, Joseph returned to Egypt, together with his brothers and all the others who had gone with him to bury his father.^(A)

Joseph Reassures His Brothers

¹⁵ When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge^(B) against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?”^{(C) 16} So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions^(D) before he died: ¹⁷ ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins^(E) and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’^(F) Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.^(G)” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.^(H)

¹⁸ His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him.^(I) “We are your slaves,”^(J) they said.

¹⁹ But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?^{(K) 20} You intended to harm me,^(L) but God intended^(M) it for good^(N) to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.^{(O) 21} So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.^(P)” And he reassured them and spoke kindly^(Q) to them.