Joseph Reassures His Brothers

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

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

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

The Death of Joseph

²² Joseph stayed in Egypt, along with all his father’s family. He lived a hundred and ten years^{(Q) 23} and saw the third generation^(R) of Ephraim’s^(S) children.^(T) Also the children of Makir^(U) son of Manasseh^(V) were placed at birth on Joseph’s knees.^[a](W)

²⁴ Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die.^(X) But God will surely come to your aid^(Y) and take you up out of this land to the land^(Z) he promised on oath to Abraham,^(AA) Isaac^(AB) and Jacob.”^{(AC) 25} And Joseph made the Israelites swear an oath^(AD) and said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones^(AE) up from this place.”^(AF)

²⁶ So Joseph died^(AG) at the age of a hundred and ten.^(AH) And after they embalmed him,^(AI) he was placed in a coffin in Egypt.

²² “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth^(A) was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs,^(B) which God did among you through him,^(C) as you yourselves know. ²³ This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge;^(D) and you, with the help of wicked men,^[a] put him to death by nailing him to the cross.^{(E) 24} But God raised him from the dead,^(F) freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.^(G)

Paul’s Chains Advance the Gospel

¹² Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,^[a] that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. ¹³ As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard^[b] and to everyone else that I am in chains^(A) for Christ. ¹⁴ And because of my chains,^(B) most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.^(C)

¹⁵ It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. ¹⁶ The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.^{(D) 17} The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition,^(E) not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.^{(F) 18} But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,