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Genesis 41:1-44:17
New American Standard Bible 1995

Pharaoh’s Dream

41 Now it happened at the end of two full years that Pharaoh had a dream, and behold, he was standing by the Nile. 2 And lo, from the Nile there came up seven cows, sleek and [a]fat; and they grazed in the (A)marsh grass. 3 Then behold, seven other cows came up after them from the Nile, ugly and [b]gaunt, and they stood by the other cows on the bank of the Nile. 4 The ugly and [c]gaunt cows ate up the seven sleek and fat cows. Then Pharaoh awoke. 5 He fell asleep and dreamed a second time; and behold, seven ears of grain came up on a single stalk, plump and good. 6 Then behold, seven ears, thin and scorched by the east wind, sprouted up after them. 7 The thin ears swallowed up the seven plump and full ears. Then Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream. 8 Now in the morning (B)his spirit was troubled, so he sent and called for all the [d](C)magicians of Egypt, and all its (D)wise men. And Pharaoh told them his [e]dreams, but (E)there was no one who could interpret them to Pharaoh.

9 Then the chief cupbearer spoke to Pharaoh, saying, “I would make mention today of (F)my own [f]offenses. 10 Pharaoh was (G)furious with his servants, and (H)he put me in confinement in the house of the captain of the bodyguard, both me and the chief baker. 11 (I)We had a dream [g]on the same night, [h]he and I; each of us dreamed according to the interpretation of his own dream. 12 Now a Hebrew youth was with us there, a (J)servant of the captain of the bodyguard, and we related them to him, and (K)he interpreted our dreams for us. To each one he interpreted according to his own dream. 13 And just (L)as he interpreted for us, so it happened; he restored me in my [i]office, but he hanged him.”

Joseph Interprets

14 Then Pharaoh sent and (M)called for Joseph, and they (N)hurriedly brought him out of the dungeon; and when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came to Pharaoh. 15 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, (O)but no one can interpret it; and (P)I have heard [j]it said about you, that [k]when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” 16 Joseph then answered Pharaoh, saying, “[l](Q)It is not in me; (R)God will [m]give Pharaoh a favorable answer.” 17 So Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, “In my dream, behold, I was standing on the bank of the Nile; 18 and behold, seven cows, [n]fat and sleek came up out of the Nile, and they grazed in the marsh grass. 19 Lo, seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ugly and [o]gaunt, such as I had never seen for [p]ugliness in all the land of Egypt; 20 and the lean and [q]ugly cows ate up the first seven fat cows. 21 Yet when they had [r]devoured them, it could not be [s]detected that they had [t]devoured them, [u]for they were just as ugly as [v]before. Then I awoke. 22 I saw also in my dream, and behold, seven ears, full and good, came up on a single stalk; 23 and lo, seven ears, withered, thin, and scorched by the east wind, sprouted up after them; 24 and the thin ears swallowed the seven good ears. Then (S)I told it to the [w]magicians, but there was no one who could explain it to me.”

25 Now Joseph said to Pharaoh, “Pharaoh’s [x]dreams are one and the same; (T)God has told to Pharaoh what He is about to do. 26 The seven good cows are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years; the [y]dreams are one and the same. 27 The seven lean and ugly cows that came up after them are seven years, and the seven thin ears scorched by the east wind (U)will be seven years of famine. 28 [z]It is as I have spoken to Pharaoh: (V)God has shown to Pharaoh what He is about to do. 29 Behold, (W)seven years of great abundance are coming in all the land of Egypt; 30 and after them (X)seven years of famine will [aa]come, and all the abundance will be forgotten in the land of Egypt, and the famine will [ab]ravage the land. 31 So the abundance will be unknown in the land because of that subsequent famine; for it will be very severe. 32 Now as for the repeating of the dream to Pharaoh twice, it means that (Y)the matter is determined by God, and God will quickly bring it about. 33 Now let Pharaoh look for a man (Z)discerning and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. 34 Let Pharaoh take action to appoint overseers [ac]in charge of the land, and let him exact a fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven years of abundance. 35 Then let them (AA)gather all the food of these good years that are coming, and store up the grain for food in the cities under Pharaoh’s authority, and let them guard it. 36 Let the food become as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which will occur in the land of Egypt, so that the land will not perish during the famine.”

37 Now the [ad]proposal seemed good [ae]to Pharaoh and [af]to all his servants.

Joseph Is Made a Ruler of Egypt

38 Then Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, (AB)in whom is a divine spirit?” 39 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has informed you of all this, there is no one so (AC)discerning and wise as you are. 40 (AD)You shall be over my house, and according to your [ag]command all my people shall [ah]do homage; only in the throne I will be greater than you.” 41 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you (AE)over all the land of Egypt.” 42 Then Pharaoh (AF)took off his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and (AG)put the gold necklace around his neck. 43 He had him ride in [ai]his second chariot; and they proclaimed before him, “[aj]Bow the knee!” And he set him over all the land of Egypt. 44 Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Though I am Pharaoh, yet (AH)without [ak]your permission no one shall raise his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.” 45 Then Pharaoh named Joseph [al]Zaphenath-paneah; and he gave him Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of [am](AI)On, as his wife. And Joseph went forth over the land of Egypt.

46 Now Joseph was (AJ)thirty years old when he [an]stood before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh and went through all the land of Egypt. 47 During the seven years of plenty the land brought forth [ao]abundantly. 48 So he gathered all the food of these seven years which occurred in the land of Egypt and placed the food in the cities; he placed in every city the food from its own surrounding fields. 49 Thus Joseph stored up grain [ap]in great abundance like the sand of the sea, until he stopped [aq]measuring it, for it was [ar]beyond measure.

The Sons of Joseph

50 Now before the year of famine came, (AK)two sons were born to Joseph, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of [as]On, bore to him. 51 Joseph named the firstborn [at]Manasseh, “For,” he said, “God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” 52 He named the second [au]Ephraim, “For,” he said, “(AL)God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

53 When the seven years of plenty which had been in the land of Egypt came to an end, 54 and (AM)the seven years of famine began to come, just as Joseph had said, then there was famine in all the lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. 55 So when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried out to Pharaoh for bread; and Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph; (AN)whatever he says to you, you shall do.” 56 When the famine was spread over all the face of the earth, then Joseph opened all [av]the storehouses, and sold to the Egyptians; and the famine was severe in the land of Egypt. 57 The people of all the earth came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because (AO)the famine was severe in all the earth.

Joseph’s Brothers Sent to Egypt

42 Now (AP)Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, and Jacob said to his sons, “Why are you staring at one another?” 2 He said, “Behold, (AQ)I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down there and buy some for us [aw]from that place, (AR)so that we may live and not die.” 3 Then ten brothers of Joseph went down to buy grain from Egypt. 4 But Jacob did not send Joseph’s brother (AS)Benjamin with his brothers, for he said, “(AT)I am afraid that harm may befall him.” 5 So the sons of Israel came to buy grain among those who were coming, (AU)for the famine was in the land of Canaan also.

6 Now (AV)Joseph was the ruler over the land; he was the one who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph’s brothers came and (AW)bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. 7 When Joseph saw his brothers he recognized them, but he disguised himself to them and (AX)spoke to them harshly. And he said to them, “Where have you come from?” And they said, “From the land of Canaan, to buy food.”

8 But Joseph had recognized his brothers, although (AY)they did not recognize him. 9 Joseph (AZ)remembered the dreams which he [ax]had about them, and said to them, “You are spies; you have come to look at the [ay]undefended parts of our land.” 10 Then they said to him, “No, (BA)my lord, but your servants have come to buy food. 11 We are all sons of one man; we are (BB)honest men, your servants are not spies.” 12 Yet he said to them, “No, but you have come to look at the [az]undefended parts of our land!” 13 But they said, “Your servants are twelve brothers in all, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and behold, the youngest is with (BC)our father today, and (BD)one is no longer alive.” 14 Joseph said to them, “It is as I said [ba]to you, you are spies; 15 by this you will be tested: (BE)by the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go from this place unless your youngest brother comes here! 16 Send one of you that he may get your brother, while you remain confined, that your words may be tested, whether there is (BF)truth in you. But if not, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies.” 17 So he put them all together in (BG)prison for three days.

18 Now Joseph said to them on the third day, “Do this and live, for (BH)I fear God: 19 if you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined in [bb]your prison; but as for the rest of you, go, carry grain for the famine of your households, 20 and (BI)bring your youngest brother to me, so your words may be verified, and you will not die.” And they did so. 21 Then they said to one another, “(BJ)Truly we are guilty concerning our brother, because we saw the distress of his soul when he pleaded with us, yet we would not listen; therefore this distress has come upon us.” 22 Reuben answered them, saying, “(BK)Did I not tell [bc]you, ‘Do not sin against the boy’; and you would not listen? [bd](BL)Now comes the reckoning for his blood.” 23 They did not know, however, that Joseph understood, for there was an interpreter between them. 24 He turned away from them and (BM)wept. But when he returned to them and spoke to them, he (BN)took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes. 25 (BO)Then Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain and to restore every man’s money in his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. And thus it was done for them.

26 So they loaded their donkeys with their grain and departed from there. 27 As one of them opened his sack to give his donkey fodder at the lodging place, he saw his (BP)money; and behold, it was in the mouth of his sack. 28 Then he said to his brothers, “My money has been returned, and behold, it is even in my sack.” And their hearts [be]sank, and they turned [bf]trembling to one another, saying, “(BQ)What is this that God has done to us?”

Simeon Is Held Hostage

29 When they came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan, they told him all that had happened to them, saying, 30 “The man, the lord of the land, (BR)spoke harshly with us, and took us for spies of the country. 31 But we said to him, ‘We are (BS)honest men; we are not spies. 32 We are twelve brothers, sons of our father; one is no longer alive, and the youngest is with our father today in the land of Canaan.’ 33 The man, the lord of the land, said to us, ‘(BT)By this I will know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers with me and take grain for the famine of your households, and go. 34 But bring your youngest brother to me that I may know that you are not spies, but [bg]honest men. I will give your brother to you, and you may (BU)trade in the land.’”

35 Now it came about as they were emptying their sacks, that behold, (BV)every man’s bundle of money was in his sack; and when they and their father saw their bundles of money, they were dismayed. 36 Their father Jacob said to them, “You have (BW)bereaved me of my children: Joseph is no more, and Simeon is no more, and you would take Benjamin; all these things are against me.” 37 Then Reuben spoke to his father, saying, “You may put my two sons to death if I do not bring him back to you; put him in my [bh]care, and I will return him to you.” 38 But [bi]Jacob said, “My son shall not go down with you; for his (BX)brother is dead, and he alone is left. (BY)If harm should befall him on the journey [bj]you are taking, then you will (BZ)bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow.”

The Return to Egypt

43 (CA)Now the famine was severe in the land. 2 So it came about when they had finished eating the grain which they had brought from Egypt, that their father said to them, “Go back, buy us a little food.” 3 Judah spoke to him, however, saying, “(CB)The man solemnly warned [bk]us, ‘You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.’ 4 If you send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food. 5 But if you do not send him, we will not go down; for the man said to us, ‘You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.’” 6 Then Israel said, “Why did you treat me so badly [bl]by telling the man whether you still had another brother?” 7 But they said, “The man questioned particularly about us and our relatives, saying, ‘(CC)Is your father still alive? Have you another brother?’ So we [bm]answered his questions. Could we possibly know that he would say, ‘Bring your brother down’?” 8 Judah said to his father Israel, “Send the lad with me and we will arise and go, (CD)that we may live and not die, we as well as you and our little ones. 9 (CE)I myself will be surety for him; [bn]you may hold me responsible for him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then [bo]let me bear the blame before you forever. 10 For if we had not delayed, surely by now we could have returned twice.”

11 Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: take some of the best products of the land in your [bp]bags, and carry down to the man (CF)as a present, a little [bq](CG)balm and a little honey, [br]aromatic gum and [bs]myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds. 12 Take double the money in your hand, and take back in your hand (CH)the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks; perhaps it was a mistake. 13 Take your brother also, and arise, return to the man; 14 and may [bt](CI)God Almighty (CJ)grant you compassion in the sight of the man, so that he will release to you (CK)your other brother and Benjamin. And as for me, (CL)if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.” 15 So the men took (CM)this present, and they took double the money in their hand, and Benjamin; then they arose and went down to Egypt and stood before Joseph.

Joseph Sees Benjamin

16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to his (CN)house steward, “Bring the men into the house, and slay an animal and make ready; for the men are to dine with me at noon.” 17 So the man did as Joseph said, and [bu]brought the men to Joseph’s house. 18 Now the men were afraid, because they were brought to Joseph’s house; and they said, “It is because of the money that was returned in our sacks the first time that we are being brought in, that he may [bv]seek occasion against us and fall upon us, and take us for slaves with our donkeys.” 19 So they came near to Joseph’s house steward, and spoke to him at the entrance of the house, 20 and said, “Oh, my lord, we indeed came down the first time to buy food, 21 and it came about when we came to the lodging place, that we opened our sacks, and behold, (CO)each man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in [bw]full. So (CP)we have brought it back in our hand. 22 We have also brought down other money in our hand to buy food; we do not know who put our money in our sacks.” 23 He said, “[bx]Be at ease, do not be afraid. (CQ)Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks; [by]I had your money.” Then (CR)he brought Simeon out to them. 24 Then the man brought the men into Joseph’s house and (CS)gave them water, and they (CT)washed their feet; and he gave their donkeys fodder. 25 So they prepared (CU)the present [bz]for Joseph’s coming at noon; for they had heard that they were to eat [ca]a meal there.

26 When Joseph came home, they brought into the house to him the present which was in their hand and (CV)bowed to the ground before him. 27 Then he asked them about their welfare, and said, “(CW)Is your old father well, of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?” 28 They said, “Your servant our father is well; he is still alive.” (CX)They bowed down [cb]in homage. 29 As he lifted his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, he said, “Is this (CY)your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me?” And he said, “(CZ)May God be gracious to you, my son.” 30 Joseph hurried out for [cc](DA)he was deeply stirred over his brother, and he sought a place to weep; and he entered his chamber and (DB)wept there. 31 Then he washed his face and came out; and he (DC)controlled himself and said, “[cd]Serve the meal.” 32 So they served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because the Egyptians could not eat bread with the Hebrews, for that is [ce](DD)loathsome to the Egyptians. 33 Now they [cf]were seated before him, (DE)the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth, and the men looked at one another in astonishment. 34 He took portions to them from [cg]his own table, (DF)but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. So they feasted and drank freely with him.

The Brothers Are Brought Back

44 (DG)Then he commanded his house steward, saying, “Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man’s money in the mouth of his sack. 2 Put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, and his money for the grain.” And he did [ch]as Joseph had told him. 3 [ci]As soon as it was light, the men were sent away, they with their donkeys. 4 They had just gone out of (DH)the city, and were not far off, when Joseph said to his house steward, “Up, follow the men; and when you overtake them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid evil for good? 5 Is not this the one from which my lord drinks and which he indeed uses for (DI)divination? You have done wrong in doing this.’”

6 So he overtook them and spoke these words to them. 7 They said to him, “Why does my lord speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants to do such a thing. 8 Behold, (DJ)the money which we found in the mouth of our sacks we have brought back to you from the land of Canaan. How then could we steal silver or gold from your lord’s house? 9 (DK)With whomever of your servants it is found, let him die, and we also will be my lord’s (DL)slaves.” 10 So he said, “Now let it also be according to your words; he with whom it is found shall be my slave, and the rest of you shall be innocent.” 11 Then they hurried, each man lowered his sack to the ground, and each man opened his sack. 12 He searched, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest, and (DM)the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. 13 Then they (DN)tore their clothes, and when each man loaded his donkey, they returned to (DO)the city.

14 When Judah and his brothers came to Joseph’s house, he was still there, and (DP)they fell to the ground before him. 15 Joseph said to them, “What is this deed that you have done? Do you not know that such a man as I can indeed practice (DQ)divination?” 16 So Judah said, “What can we say to my lord? What can we speak? And how can we justify ourselves? God has found out the iniquity of your servants; behold, we are my lord’s (DR)slaves, both we and the one in whose [cj]possession the cup has been found.” 17 But he said, “Far be it from me to do this. The man in whose [ck]possession the cup has been found, he shall be my slave; but as for you, go up in peace to your father.”

Footnotes

  1. Genesis 41:2 Lit fat of flesh
  2. Genesis 41:3 Lit lean of flesh
  3. Genesis 41:4 Lit lean of flesh
  4. Genesis 41:8 Or soothsayer priests
  5. Genesis 41:8 Lit dream
  6. Genesis 41:9 Or sins
  7. Genesis 41:11 Lit one night
  8. Genesis 41:11 Lit I and he
  9. Genesis 41:13 Lit place
  10. Genesis 41:15 Lit about you, saying
  11. Genesis 41:15 Lit you hear a dream to interpret it
  12. Genesis 41:16 Lit Apart from me
  13. Genesis 41:16 Lit answer the peace of Pharaoh
  14. Genesis 41:18 Lit fat of flesh
  15. Genesis 41:19 Lit lean of flesh
  16. Genesis 41:19 Lit badness
  17. Genesis 41:20 Lit bad
  18. Genesis 41:21 Lit entered their inward parts
  19. Genesis 41:21 Or known
  20. Genesis 41:21 Lit entered their inward parts
  21. Genesis 41:21 Lit and
  22. Genesis 41:21 Lit in the beginning
  23. Genesis 41:24 Or soothsayer priests
  24. Genesis 41:25 Lit dream is
  25. Genesis 41:26 Lit dream is
  26. Genesis 41:28 Lit That is the thing which I spoke
  27. Genesis 41:30 Lit arise
  28. Genesis 41:30 Lit destroy
  29. Genesis 41:34 Lit over
  30. Genesis 41:37 Lit word
  31. Genesis 41:37 Lit in the sight of
  32. Genesis 41:37 Lit in the sight of
  33. Genesis 41:40 Lit mouth
  34. Genesis 41:40 Lit kiss
  35. Genesis 41:43 Lit the second...which was his
  36. Genesis 41:43 Heb Abreck: Attention or Make way
  37. Genesis 41:44 Lit you no one
  38. Genesis 41:45 Probably Egyptian for “God speaks; he lives”
  39. Genesis 41:45 Or Heliopolis
  40. Genesis 41:46 Or entered the service of
  41. Genesis 41:47 Lit by handfuls
  42. Genesis 41:49 Lit very much
  43. Genesis 41:49 Lit numbering
  44. Genesis 41:49 Or without number
  45. Genesis 41:50 Or Heliopolis
  46. Genesis 41:51 I.e. making to forget
  47. Genesis 41:52 I.e. fruitfulness
  48. Genesis 41:56 Lit that which was in them
  49. Genesis 42:2 Lit from there
  50. Genesis 42:9 Lit had dreamed
  51. Genesis 42:9 Lit nakedness of the land
  52. Genesis 42:12 Lit nakedness of the land
  53. Genesis 42:14 Lit to you, saying
  54. Genesis 42:19 Lit the house of your prison
  55. Genesis 42:22 Lit you saying
  56. Genesis 42:22 Lit And behold, his blood also is required
  57. Genesis 42:28 Lit went out
  58. Genesis 42:28 Lit trembled
  59. Genesis 42:34 Lit you are honest
  60. Genesis 42:37 Lit hand
  61. Genesis 42:38 Lit he
  62. Genesis 42:38 Lit on which you are going
  63. Genesis 43:3 Lit us, saying
  64. Genesis 43:6 Lit to tell
  65. Genesis 43:7 Lit told him according to these words
  66. Genesis 43:9 Lit from my hand you may require him
  67. Genesis 43:9 Lit I shall have sinned before you all the days
  68. Genesis 43:11 Or vessels
  69. Genesis 43:11 Or mastic
  70. Genesis 43:11 Or ladanum spice
  71. Genesis 43:11 Or resinous bark
  72. Genesis 43:14 Heb El Shaddai
  73. Genesis 43:17 Lit the man brought
  74. Genesis 43:18 Lit roll himself upon us
  75. Genesis 43:21 Lit its weight
  76. Genesis 43:23 Lit Peace be to you
  77. Genesis 43:23 Lit your money had come to me
  78. Genesis 43:25 Lit until
  79. Genesis 43:25 Lit bread
  80. Genesis 43:28 Lit and prostrated themselves
  81. Genesis 43:30 Lit his compassion grew warm
  82. Genesis 43:31 Lit Set on bread
  83. Genesis 43:32 Lit an abomination
  84. Genesis 43:33 Lit sat
  85. Genesis 43:34 Lit his face
  86. Genesis 44:2 Or according to the word
  87. Genesis 44:3 Lit The morning was light
  88. Genesis 44:16 Lit hand
  89. Genesis 44:17 Lit hand
Close TLV

Genesis 41:1-44:17
Tree of Life Version

Parashat Miketz

Exalted by Pharaoh

41 Now at the end of two whole years, Pharaoh was dreaming. Behold, there he was standing by the Nile. 2 Then behold, there were seven cows, good-looking and beefy, and they grazed in the reeds. 3 Then behold, there were seven other cows coming up after them from the Nile, ugly and emaciated, and they stood beside the cows at the edge of the Nile. 4 Then the ugly emaciated cows ate the seven good-looking beefy cows—and Pharaoh woke up.

5 Then he slept and dreamed a second time: behold, there were seven ears of corn coming up on one stalk, plump and good. 6 Then behold, there were seven ears of corn, thin and scorched by the east wind, sprouting up after them. 7 Then the seven thin ears of corn swallowed up the seven plump and full ears of corn. Then Pharaoh woke up—it was a dream.

8 But in the morning he was disturbed in his spirit. So he sent and called for the fortune-telling priests of Egypt and all its wise men and Pharaoh told them his dream. But no one could interpret them for Pharaoh.

9 Then the chief of the cupbearers spoke with Pharaoh saying, “I am reminded of my sins today. 10 Pharaoh had been angry with his servants and put me in the custody of the house of the commander of the bodyguards—me and the chief of the bakers. 11 Then we each dreamed a dream on the same night, he and I, we both dreamed, yet each dream had its own interpretation. 12 Now there with us was a Hebrew youth—a slave belonging to the commander of the bodyguards. When we told him, he interpreted our dreams for us, each man’s dream he interpreted. 13 Then it came about, just as he interpreted for us, so it happened. Me he restored to my position, but him he hung.

14 Then Pharaoh sent and called for Joseph. So they quickly fetched him from the pit. He shaved, changed his clothes, and came to Pharaoh. 15 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I dreamed a dream and there’s no one to interpret it. I heard about you—it’s said that you can listen to a dream to interpret it.”

16 Then Joseph answered Pharaoh saying, “It’s not within me. God will answer with shalom for Pharaoh.”

17 So Pharaoh said to Joseph: “In my dream, there I was, standing by the bank of the Nile. 18 And to my surprise, out of the Nile seven cows were coming up, beefy and good-looking, and they grazed in the reeds. 19 Then all of a sudden, there were seven other cows coming up after them, feeble, very ugly and emaciated. I’ve never seen the likes of these in the whole land of Egypt for ugliness. 20 Then the emaciated and ugly cows ate the first seven beefy cows. 21 When they were devoured, one couldn’t tell that they had been devoured. Their appearance was as ugly as it was at first. Then I woke up. 22 Then I saw in my dream, there were seven ears of corn coming up on one stalk, plump and good. 23 Then suddenly, there were seven ears of corn, dried up, thin, and scorched by the east wind, sprouting up after them. 24 Then the thin ears of corn swallowed up the seven good ears of corn. So I told the fortune-telling priests, but no one could provide me with an explanation.”

25 Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “Pharaoh’s dream is one. God has told Pharaoh what He is about to do. 26 The seven good cows: they are seven years. Also the seven ears of corn: they’re seven years. It is one dream. 27 The seven emaciated and ugly cows coming up after them: they’re seven years. Also the seven empty ears of corn scorched by the east wind: there will be seven years of famine. 28 It is the word that I have already said to Pharaoh: what God is about to do, he has shown to Pharaoh. 29 Seven years of abundance are about to come in the whole land of Egypt. 30 Then seven years of famine will come up after them and all the abundance in the land of Egypt will be forgotten and the famine will consume the land. 31 So the abundance in the land will be unknown because of the famine that follows, for it will be a very oppressive famine.

32 “Now as for repeating Pharaoh’s dream twice: it’s because the matter has been settled by God and God will quickly make it happen. 33 So now, let Pharaoh select a man discerning and wise and set him in authority over the land of Egypt. 34 Let Pharaoh act by appointing administrators over the land and take a fifth portion from the land of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. 35 Then let them gather all the food from these good years that are coming, and let them store up grain under Pharaoh’s hand as food for the cities, so they may preserve it. 36 Let the food be held in reserve for the land for the seven years of famine that is coming upon the land of Egypt. Then the land will not be annihilated by the famine.”

37 Now the plan seemed good in the eyes of Pharaoh as well as all his servants. 38 Then Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can a man like this be found, one in whom is God’s Spirit?”

39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. 40 You! You will be over my house, and all my people will pay homage to you[a]. Only in relation to the throne will I be greater than you.”

41 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I appoint you over the whole land of Egypt.” 42 Then Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, clothed him with fine linen garments, and put a chain of gold around his neck. 43 Then he had him ride in the chariot as second-in-command, the one that belonged to him, and they called out before him, “Kneel down!” So he appointed him over the whole land of Egypt. 44 Pharaoh also said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, yet without your permission no one will lift up his hand or his foot in the whole land of Egypt.” 45 Then Pharaoh named Joseph Zaphenath-paneah and gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, as his wife. Then Joseph went out, in charge of the land of Egypt.

46 Now Joseph was 30 years old when he began serving as representative of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. Joseph went out from Pharaoh’s presence and passed throughout the whole land of Egypt. 47 During the seven years of abundance, the land produced in heaps. 48 So he gathered all the food in the land of Egypt during the seven years, and put food in the cities; the food from the city fields surrounding the cities he put in each city. 49 So Joseph stored up grain like the sand of the sea, vast amounts, until he stopped keeping record because it was beyond counting.

50 Two sons also had been born to Joseph before the year of famine came, born to him by Asenath, daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. 51 Joseph named his first-born Manasseh, “because God has caused me to forget all my trouble and all my father’s house.” 52 And the second he named Ephraim, “because God has made me fruitful in the land of my oppression.”

53 Then the seven years of abundance in the land of Egypt came to an end, 54 and the seven years of famine started to come—just as Joseph had said. So there was famine in all the lands, but in the whole land of Egypt there was bread. 55 When the whole land of Egypt suffered famine, the people cried out to Pharaoh for food, and Pharaoh said to all of Egypt, “Go to Joseph. Do whatever he tells you.” 56 The famine was over all the entire land, so Joseph opened up all that was among them and sold grain to Egypt. Then the famine became severe in the land of Egypt. 57 Yet the whole world came to Egypt to buy grain—to Joseph—because the famine was severe in the whole world.

Joseph Meets His Brothers

42 Now Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, so Jacob said to his sons, “Why are you looking at each other?” 2 Then he said, “Look! I’ve heard that there’s grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some grain for us there so that we’ll live and not die.”

3 So Joseph’s brothers went down, ten of them, to buy grain from Egypt. 4 But Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, Jacob did not send, for he said, “An accident might happen to him.”

5 The sons of Israel went to buy grain among the others who were coming, because the famine was in the land of Canaan. 6 Now Joseph was the ruler over the land. He was the provider of grain for all the people of the earth. 7 Then Joseph’s brothers came and bowed down to him with faces to the ground. When Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he made himself unrecognizable to them. Then he spoke harshly and said to them, “Where have you come from?”

“From the land of Canaan,” they said, “to buy grain as food.”

8 Though Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him. 9 Then Joseph remembered the dreams he had dreamed about them. He said to them, “You’re spies! You’ve come to see the undefended places in the land.”

10 “No, my lord!” they said to him. “Your servants came to buy grain as food. 11 All of us—we are sons of one man. We’re honest. Your servants have never been spies.”

12 “Not so,” he said to them. “Rather, you’ve come to see the undefended places in the land.”

13 But they said, “We your servants are twelve brothers, sons of one man in the land of Canaan. Look, the youngest is with our father today and the other one is no more.”

14 Joseph said to them, “It’s just like I told you when I said, ‘You’re spies.’ 15 By this you’ll be tested: by the life of Pharaoh, you’ll not leave from here until your youngest brother comes here! 16 Send one from among yourselves to get your brother, while you remain confined, in order to test your words, to see whether the truth is with you. If not, by the life of Pharaoh, you’re definitely spies!”

17 So he put them together in custody for three days. 18 Then Joseph said to them on the third day, “Do this and you will live. I fear God. 19 If you’re honest, let one of your brothers remain as a prisoner in the guardhouse where you’ve been, while you, go and bring grain for the hunger in your homes. 20 And your youngest brother, bring to me so that your words can be verified—and you won’t die.” So they did.

21 Then each man said to his brother, “We’re truly guilty for our brother. We saw the distress of his soul when he begged us for mercy, but we didn’t listen. That’s why this distress has come to us.”

22 Reuben answered them and said, “Didn’t I tell you, ‘Don’t sin against the boy’? But you didn’t listen. Now, see how his blood is now being accounted for.”

23 They did not know that Joseph was listening, since there was an interpreter between them. 24 He turned away from them and wept. When he turned back to them and spoke to them, he took Simeon from them and tied him up before their eyes.

25 Then Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, to return each man’s money to his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. So it was done for them. 26 Then they loaded their grain on their donkeys and left from there. 27 As one of them opened his sack to give fodder to his donkey at the lodge, he saw his money—behold, it was in the opening of his bag. 28 So he said to his brothers, “My money has been returned! Look, it’s in my bag.”

Their hearts sank. Trembling, each one turned to his brother and said, “What is this that God has done to us?”

29 When they came to their father Jacob, in the land of Canaan, they told him all that had happened to them, saying, 30 “The man, the lord of the land, spoke with us harshly, and took us as spies of the land. 31 But we said to him, ‘We’re honest. We’ve never been spies. 32 We are twelve brothers, sons of our father. One is no more and the youngest is with our father today in the land of Canaan.’ 33 Then the man, the lord of the land, said to us, ‘By this I’ll know if you’re honest: leave one of your brothers with me. As for the hunger of your homes: take and go! 34 Then bring your youngest brother to me, so that I may know you are not spies, but you are honest. I’ll give you back your brother and you can move about freely in the land.’”

35 Now as they were emptying their sacks, behold, there was each man’s bundle of money in his sack. When they saw their money bundles, they and their father, they were afraid.

36 Then their father Jacob said to them, “You’ve made me childless! Joseph is no more. Now Simeon is gone, and next you’ll take Benjamin! Everything is against me!”

37 Then Reuben spoke to his father, saying, “You can put my two sons to death if I don’t bring him back to you. Put him in my hand and I—I will return him to you.”

38 But he said, “My son will not go down with you—for his brother is dead and he alone remains. And if harm should happen to him along the way you’re going, you’ll bring my grey hair down to Sheol in grief.”

Judah Pledges for Benjamin

43 Now the famine was severe in the land. 2 When they finished eating the grain they had brought from Egypt their father said to them, “Go back. Buy us a little food.”

3 But Judah said to him, “The man warned us firmly saying, ‘You won’t see my face unless your brother is with you.’ 4 If you send our brother with us, we will go down and buy grain for you for food. 5 But if you won’t send him, we won’t go down, because the man said to us, ‘You won’t see my face unless your brother is with you.’”

6 Then Israel said, “Why did you do evil to me by telling the man that you have another brother?”

7 They said, “The man questioned particularly about us and about our relatives saying, ‘Is your father still alive? Do you have a brother?’ So we spoke to him on the basis of these words. How could we possibly know that he would say, ‘Bring your brother down’”?

8 Then Judah said to his father Israel, “Please, send the boy with me and we’ll get up and go, so that we’ll live and not die—we and you, and our children. 9 I myself will be his pledge. You can demand him back from my own hand. If I don’t bring him back to you and place him before you, then you can blame me all my days. 10 If we had not delayed, we could have returned twice by now.”

11 Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: take some of the best products of the land in your bags, and bring an offering down to the man—a little balsam and a little honey, gum and myrrh, pistachios and almonds. 12 Also take in your hand a double portion of silver, and bring back in your hand the silver that had been returned in the mouth of your sacks. Perhaps it was a mistake. 13 Take your brother too—now, get up, go back to the man! 14 May El Shaddai grant you mercy before the man, so that he may release your other brother to you, along with Benjamin. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.”

The Brothers Return With Benjamin

15 Then the men took this offering. They also took the double portion of silver in their hand, as well as Benjamin. So they got up and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph. 16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the one over his house, “Bring the men into the house. Slaughter an animal and prepare it, for the men will eat with me this afternoon. 17 So the man did as Joseph said, and the man brought the men into Joseph’s house. 18 But the men were afraid, because they had been brought into Joseph’s house. They said, “It’s because of the silver that was returned to our sacks the first time that we are being brought in—to pounce on us and fall on us and take us as slaves, along with our donkeys.”

19 So they approached the man who was over Joseph’s house and spoke to him at the entrance of the house. 20 “I beg your pardon, my lord!” they said. “We indeed came down on the previous occasion to buy grain for food. 21 When we came to the lodge and opened our sacks, behold, there was each man’s money at the opening of the sack, the full amount of our money. So we’ve returned it in our hand. 22 Moreover, we’ve brought down other money in our hand to buy grain for food. We didn’t know who put our money into our sacks.”

23 “Be at peace,” he replied. “Don’t be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks. Your money had come to me.”

Then he brought Simeon out to them, 24 and the man brought the men into Joseph’s house, gave them water and they washed their feet. He also provided fodder for their donkeys. 25 So they prepared the offering for Joseph’s coming at noon, for they had heard that they were going to eat there. 26 When Joseph came home, they brought him the offering in their hand into the house, and they bowed down to the ground to him. 27 Then he asked if they were well, and said, “Is he well—your elderly father that you told me about? Is he still alive?”

28 “Your servant, our father, is well,” they said. “He’s still alive.” Then they knelt and bowed down.

29 Then he lifted his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, “Is this your youngest brother whom you mentioned to me?” Then he said, “May God be gracious to you, my son.” 30 Then Joseph hurried out because his compassion grew warm and tender toward his brother so that he wanted to cry. So he went into an inner room and wept there.

31 Then he washed his face, came out, and controlled himself. “Serve the food,” he said. 32 So they served him by himself, them by themselves, and the Egyptians who were eating with him by themselves (for Egyptians could not eat with the Hebrews because it was an abomination to Egyptians). 33 They were seated before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth. The men looked at each other in astonishment. 34 Then portions were brought to them from before him—and Benjamin’s portion was five times larger than any of their portions. Yet they drank and made merry with him.

Joseph Tests His Brothers

44 Then he commanded the one over his household saying, “Fill the men’s sacks with as much food as they are able to carry and put money in the opening of each man’s sack. 2 Put my cup, the silver cup, in the opening of the sack of the youngest along with his grain money.” So he did as Joseph told him.

3 When the morning dawned, the men were sent off, they and their donkeys. 4 They left the city and did not get far, when Joseph said to the one over his household, “Get up, go after the men. When you catch up to them, say to them, “Why have you repaid evil for good? 5 Isn’t this the one from which my lord drinks? He even uses it especially to discern by divination. What you’ve done is evil!” 6 So he caught up to them and spoke these words to them.

7 They said to him, “Why does my lord say such things? Far be it from your servants to do such a thing as this. 8 Look, the money we found in the opening of our bags, we brought back to you from the land of Canaan. So how could we steal silver or gold from your lord’s house? 9 Whoever among your servants is found with it, let him die! And we, we’ll also be my lord’s slaves.”

10 “Even now let it be according to your words,” he said. “The one with whom it is found shall be my slave. But the rest of you shall be innocent.”

11 Then each man quickly lowered his sack to the ground and each man opened his sack. 12 He searched them beginning with the eldest and finishing with the youngest, and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. 13 Then they tore their clothing, and each one loaded up his donkey and they returned to the city.

14 When Judah and his brothers entered Joseph’s house, he was still there. They fell to the ground before him. 15 “What’s this deed you’ve done?” Joseph said to them, “Didn’t you know that a man like me can discern by divination?”

16 Then Judah said, “What can we say to my lord? What can we speak? How can we justify ourselves? God has exposed your servants’ guilt. We are now my lord’s slaves—both we as well as the one in whose hand the cup was found.”

17 But he said, “Far be it from me to do this. The one in whose hand the cup was found—he will be my slave. But you, go up to your father in peace.”

Footnotes

  1. Genesis 41:40 Or, kiss your mouth.
Listen to Genesis 41:1-44:17, 1 Kings 3:15-4:1, Matthew 27:15-46, Zechariah 2:14-4:7, Romans 10:1-13
Close NIV

Genesis 41:1-44:17
New International Version

Pharaoh’s Dreams

41 When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream:(A) He was standing by the Nile,(B) 2 when out of the river there came up seven cows, sleek and fat,(C) and they grazed among the reeds.(D) 3 After them, seven other cows, ugly and gaunt, came up out of the Nile and stood beside those on the riverbank. 4 And the cows that were ugly and gaunt ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up.(E)

5 He fell asleep again and had a second dream: Seven heads of grain,(F) healthy and good, were growing on a single stalk. 6 After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted—thin and scorched by the east wind.(G) 7 The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads. Then Pharaoh woke up;(H) it had been a dream.

8 In the morning his mind was troubled,(I) so he sent for all the magicians(J) and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him.(K)

9 Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “Today I am reminded of my shortcomings.(L) 10 Pharaoh was once angry with his servants,(M) and he imprisoned me and the chief baker in the house of the captain of the guard.(N) 11 Each of us had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own.(O) 12 Now a young Hebrew(P) was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard.(Q) We told him our dreams, and he interpreted them for us, giving each man the interpretation of his dream.(R) 13 And things turned out exactly as he interpreted them to us: I was restored to my position, and the other man was impaled.(S)”

14 So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon.(T) When he had shaved(U) and changed his clothes,(V) he came before Pharaoh.

15 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it.(W) But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”(X)

16 “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”(Y)

17 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile,(Z) 18 when out of the river there came up seven cows, fat and sleek, and they grazed among the reeds.(AA) 19 After them, seven other cows came up—scrawny and very ugly and lean. I had never seen such ugly cows in all the land of Egypt. 20 The lean, ugly cows ate up the seven fat cows that came up first. 21 But even after they ate them, no one could tell that they had done so; they looked just as ugly as before. Then I woke up.

22 “In my dream I saw seven heads of grain, full and good, growing on a single stalk. 23 After them, seven other heads sprouted—withered and thin and scorched by the east wind. 24 The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven good heads. I told this to the magicians, but none of them could explain it to me.(AB)”

25 Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same.(AC) God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do.(AD) 26 The seven good cows(AE) are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream. 27 The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind: They are seven years of famine.(AF)

28 “It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do.(AG) 29 Seven years of great abundance(AH) are coming throughout the land of Egypt, 30 but seven years of famine(AI) will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land.(AJ) 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(AK) by God, and God will do it soon.(AL)

33 “And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man(AM) and put him in charge of the land of Egypt.(AN) 34 Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners(AO) over the land to take a fifth(AP) of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance.(AQ) 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.(AR) 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,(AS) so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.”

37 The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials.(AT) 38 So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God[a]?”(AU)

39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you,(AV) there is no one so discerning and wise as you.(AW) 40 You shall be in charge of my palace,(AX) and all my people are to submit to your orders.(AY) Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.(AZ)”

Joseph in Charge of Egypt

41 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.”(BA) 42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring(BB) from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes(BC) of fine linen(BD) and put a gold chain around his neck.(BE) 43 He had him ride in a chariot(BF) as his second-in-command,[b](BG) and people shouted before him, “Make way[c]!”(BH) Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt.(BI)

44 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, but without your word no one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt.”(BJ) 45 Pharaoh gave Joseph(BK) the name Zaphenath-Paneah and gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest(BL) of On,[d](BM) to be his wife.(BN) And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt.

46 Joseph was thirty years old(BO) when he entered the service(BP) of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from Pharaoh’s presence and traveled throughout Egypt. 47 During the seven years of abundance(BQ) the land produced plentifully. 48 Joseph collected all the food produced in those seven years of abundance in Egypt and stored it in the cities.(BR) In each city he put the food grown in the fields surrounding it. 49 Joseph stored up huge quantities of grain, like the sand of the sea;(BS) it was so much that he stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure.

50 Before the years of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On.(BT) 51 Joseph named his firstborn(BU) Manasseh[e](BV) and said, “It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” 52 The second son he named Ephraim[f](BW) and said, “It is because God has made me fruitful(BX) in the land of my suffering.”

53 The seven years of abundance in Egypt came to an end, 54 and the seven years of famine(BY) began,(BZ) just as Joseph had said. There was famine in all the other lands, but in the whole land of Egypt there was food. 55 When all Egypt began to feel the famine,(CA) the people cried to Pharaoh for food. Then Pharaoh told all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph and do what he tells you.”(CB)

56 When the famine had spread over the whole country, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians,(CC) for the famine(CD) was severe throughout Egypt.(CE) 57 And all the world came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph,(CF) because the famine was severe everywhere.(CG)

Joseph’s Brothers Go to Egypt

42 When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt,(CH) he said to his sons, “Why do you just keep looking at each other?” 2 He continued, “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us,(CI) so that we may live and not die.”(CJ)

3 Then ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain(CK) from Egypt. 4 But Jacob did not send Benjamin,(CL) Joseph’s brother, with the others, because he was afraid that harm might come to him.(CM) 5 So Israel’s sons were among those who went to buy grain,(CN) for there was famine in the land of Canaan(CO) also.(CP)

6 Now Joseph was the governor of the land,(CQ) the person who sold grain to all its people.(CR) So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground.(CS) 7 As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them.(CT) “Where do you come from?”(CU) he asked.

“From the land of Canaan,” they replied, “to buy food.”

8 Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him.(CV) 9 Then he remembered his dreams(CW) about them and said to them, “You are spies!(CX) You have come to see where our land is unprotected.”(CY)

10 “No, my lord,(CZ)” they answered. “Your servants have come to buy food.(DA) 11 We are all the sons of one man. Your servants(DB) are honest men,(DC) not spies.(DD)”

12 “No!” he said to them. “You have come to see where our land is unprotected.”(DE)

13 But they replied, “Your servants(DF) were twelve brothers, the sons of one man, who lives in the land of Canaan.(DG) The youngest is now with our father, and one is no more.”(DH)

14 Joseph said to them, “It is just as I told you: You are spies!(DI) 15 And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives,(DJ) you will not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here.(DK) 16 Send one of your number to get your brother;(DL) the rest of you will be kept in prison,(DM) so that your words may be tested to see if you are telling the truth.(DN) If you are not, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!(DO)” 17 And he put them all in custody(DP) for three days.

18 On the third day, Joseph said to them, “Do this and you will live, for I fear God:(DQ) 19 If you are honest men,(DR) let one of your brothers stay here in prison,(DS) while the rest of you go and take grain back for your starving households.(DT) 20 But you must bring your youngest brother to me,(DU) so that your words may be verified and that you may not die.” This they proceeded to do.

21 They said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother.(DV) We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress(DW) has come on us.”

22 Reuben replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy?(DX) But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting(DY) for his blood.”(DZ) 23 They did not realize(EA) that Joseph could understand them,(EB) since he was using an interpreter.

24 He turned away from them and began to weep,(EC) but then came back and spoke to them again. He had Simeon taken from them and bound before their eyes.(ED)

25 Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain,(EE) to put each man’s silver back in his sack,(EF) and to give them provisions(EG) for their journey.(EH) After this was done for them, 26 they loaded their grain on their donkeys(EI) and left.

27 At the place where they stopped for the night one of them opened his sack to get feed for his donkey,(EJ) and he saw his silver in the mouth of his sack.(EK) 28 “My silver has been returned,” he said to his brothers. “Here it is in my sack.”

Their hearts sank(EL) and they turned to each other trembling(EM) and said, “What is this that God has done to us?”(EN)

29 When they came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan,(EO) they told him all that had happened to them.(EP) They said, 30 “The man who is lord over the land spoke harshly to us(EQ) and treated us as though we were spying on the land.(ER) 31 But we said to him, ‘We are honest men; we are not spies.(ES) 32 We were twelve brothers, sons of one father. One is no more, and the youngest is now with our father in Canaan.’(ET)

33 “Then the man who is lord over the land said to us, ‘This is how I will know whether you are honest men: Leave one of your brothers here with me, and take food for your starving households and go.(EU) 34 But bring your youngest brother to me so I will know that you are not spies but honest men.(EV) Then I will give your brother back to you,(EW) and you can trade[g] in the land.(EX)’”

35 As they were emptying their sacks, there in each man’s sack was his pouch of silver!(EY) When they and their father saw the money pouches, they were frightened.(EZ) 36 Their father Jacob said to them, “You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more,(FA) and now you want to take Benjamin.(FB) Everything is against me!(FC)”

37 Then Reuben said to his father, “You may put both of my sons to death if I do not bring him back to you. Entrust him to my care,(FD) and I will bring him back.”(FE)

38 But Jacob said, “My son will not go down there with you; his brother is dead(FF) and he is the only one left. If harm comes to him(FG) on the journey you are taking, you will bring my gray head down to the grave(FH) in sorrow.(FI)”

The Second Journey to Egypt

43 Now the famine was still severe in the land.(FJ) 2 So when they had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt,(FK) their father said to them, “Go back and buy us a little more food.”(FL)

3 But Judah(FM) said to him, “The man warned us solemnly, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’(FN) 4 If you will send our brother along with us, we will go down and buy food for you.(FO) 5 But if you will not send him, we will not go down, because the man said to us, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.(FP)’”

6 Israel(FQ) asked, “Why did you bring this trouble(FR) on me by telling the man you had another brother?”

7 They replied, “The man questioned us closely about ourselves and our family. ‘Is your father still living?’(FS) he asked us. ‘Do you have another brother?’(FT) We simply answered his questions. How were we to know he would say, ‘Bring your brother down here’?”(FU)

8 Then Judah(FV) said to Israel(FW) his father, “Send the boy along with me and we will go at once, so that we and you and our children may live and not die.(FX) 9 I myself will guarantee his safety; you can hold me personally responsible for him.(FY) If I do not bring him back to you and set him here before you, I will bear the blame(FZ) before you all my life.(GA) 10 As it is, if we had not delayed,(GB) we could have gone and returned twice.”

11 Then their father Israel(GC) said to them, “If it must be, then do this: Put some of the best products(GD) of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift(GE)—a little balm(GF) and a little honey, some spices(GG) and myrrh,(GH) some pistachio nuts and almonds. 12 Take double the amount(GI) of silver with you, for you must return the silver that was put back into the mouths of your sacks.(GJ) Perhaps it was a mistake. 13 Take your brother also and go back to the man at once.(GK) 14 And may God Almighty[h](GL) grant you mercy(GM) before the man so that he will let your other brother and Benjamin come back with you.(GN) As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.”(GO)

15 So the men took the gifts and double the amount of silver,(GP) and Benjamin also. They hurried(GQ) down to Egypt and presented themselves(GR) to Joseph. 16 When Joseph saw Benjamin(GS) with them, he said to the steward of his house,(GT) “Take these men to my house, slaughter an animal and prepare a meal;(GU) they are to eat with me at noon.”

17 The man did as Joseph told him and took the men to Joseph’s house.(GV) 18 Now the men were frightened(GW) when they were taken to his house.(GX) They thought, “We were brought here because of the silver that was put back into our sacks(GY) the first time. He wants to attack us(GZ) and overpower us and seize us as slaves(HA) and take our donkeys.(HB)”

19 So they went up to Joseph’s steward(HC) and spoke to him at the entrance to the house. 20 “We beg your pardon, our lord,” they said, “we came down here the first time to buy food.(HD) 21 But at the place where we stopped for the night we opened our sacks and each of us found his silver—the exact weight—in the mouth of his sack. So we have brought it back with us.(HE) 22 We have also brought additional silver with us to buy food. We don’t know who put our silver in our sacks.”

23 “It’s all right,” he said. “Don’t be afraid. Your God, the God of your father,(HF) has given you treasure in your sacks;(HG) I received your silver.” Then he brought Simeon out to them.(HH)

24 The steward took the men into Joseph’s house,(HI) gave them water to wash their feet(HJ) and provided fodder for their donkeys. 25 They prepared their gifts(HK) for Joseph’s arrival at noon,(HL) because they had heard that they were to eat there.

26 When Joseph came home,(HM) they presented to him the gifts(HN) they had brought into the house, and they bowed down before him to the ground.(HO) 27 He asked them how they were, and then he said, “How is your aged father(HP) you told me about? Is he still living?”(HQ)

28 They replied, “Your servant our father(HR) is still alive and well.” And they bowed down,(HS) prostrating themselves before him.(HT)

29 As he looked about and saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother’s son,(HU) he asked, “Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?”(HV) And he said, “God be gracious to you,(HW) my son.” 30 Deeply moved(HX) at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. He went into his private room and wept(HY) there.

31 After he had washed his face, he came out and, controlling himself,(HZ) said, “Serve the food.”(IA)

32 They served him by himself, the brothers by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because Egyptians could not eat with Hebrews,(IB) for that is detestable to Egyptians.(IC) 33 The men had been seated before him in the order of their ages, from the firstborn(ID) to the youngest;(IE) and they looked at each other in astonishment. 34 When portions were served to them from Joseph’s table, Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as anyone else’s.(IF) So they feasted(IG) and drank freely with him.

A Silver Cup in a Sack

44 Now Joseph gave these instructions to the steward of his house:(IH) “Fill the men’s sacks with as much food as they can carry, and put each man’s silver in the mouth of his sack.(II) 2 Then put my cup,(IJ) the silver one,(IK) in the mouth of the youngest one’s sack, along with the silver for his grain.” And he did as Joseph said.

3 As morning dawned, the men were sent on their way with their donkeys.(IL) 4 They had not gone far from the city when Joseph said to his steward,(IM) “Go after those men at once, and when you catch up with them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid good with evil?(IN) 5 Isn’t this the cup(IO) my master drinks from and also uses for divination?(IP) This is a wicked thing you have done.’”

6 When he caught up with them, he repeated these words to them. 7 But they said to him, “Why does my lord say such things? Far be it from your servants(IQ) to do anything like that!(IR) 8 We even brought back to you from the land of Canaan(IS) the silver(IT) we found inside the mouths of our sacks.(IU) So why would we steal(IV) silver or gold from your master’s house? 9 If any of your servants(IW) is found to have it, he will die;(IX) and the rest of us will become my lord’s slaves.(IY)”

10 “Very well, then,” he said, “let it be as you say. Whoever is found to have it(IZ) will become my slave;(JA) the rest of you will be free from blame.”(JB)

11 Each of them quickly lowered his sack to the ground and opened it. 12 Then the steward(JC) proceeded to search,(JD) beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest.(JE) And the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.(JF) 13 At this, they tore their clothes.(JG) Then they all loaded their donkeys(JH) and returned to the city.

14 Joseph was still in the house(JI) when Judah(JJ) and his brothers came in, and they threw themselves to the ground before him.(JK) 15 Joseph said to them, “What is this you have done?(JL) Don’t you know that a man like me can find things out by divination?(JM)”

16 “What can we say to my lord?(JN)” Judah(JO) replied. “What can we say? How can we prove our innocence?(JP) God has uncovered your servants’(JQ) guilt. We are now my lord’s slaves(JR)—we ourselves and the one who was found to have the cup.(JS)”

17 But Joseph said, “Far be it from me to do such a thing!(JT) Only the man who was found to have the cup will become my slave.(JU) The rest of you, go back to your father in peace.”(JV)

Footnotes

  1. Genesis 41:38 Or of the gods
  2. Genesis 41:43 Or in the chariot of his second-in-command; or in his second chariot
  3. Genesis 41:43 Or Bow down
  4. Genesis 41:45 That is, Heliopolis; also in verse 50
  5. Genesis 41:51 Manasseh sounds like and may be derived from the Hebrew for forget.
  6. Genesis 41:52 Ephraim sounds like the Hebrew for twice fruitful.
  7. Genesis 42:34 Or move about freely
  8. Genesis 43:14 Hebrew El-Shaddai
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Genesis 40
Genesis 45
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1 Kings 3:15-4:1
New American Standard Bible 1995

15 Then (A)Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and made peace offerings, and (B)made a feast for all his servants.

Solomon Wisely Judges

16 Then two women who were harlots came to the king and stood before him. 17 The one woman said, “Oh, my lord, [a]this woman and I live in the same house; and I gave birth to a child while she was in the house. 18 It happened on the third day after I gave birth, that this woman also gave birth to a child, and we were together. There was no stranger with us in the house, only the two of us in the house. 19 This woman’s son died in the night, because she lay on it. 20 So she arose in the middle of the night and took my son from beside me while your maidservant slept, and laid him in her bosom, and laid her dead son in my bosom. 21 When I rose in the morning to nurse my son, behold, he was dead; but when I looked at him carefully in the morning, behold, he was not my son, whom I had borne.” 22 Then the other woman said, “No! For the living one is my son, and the dead one is your son.” But [b]the first woman said, “No! For the dead one is your son, and the living one is my son.” Thus they spoke before the king.

23 Then the king said, “[c]The one says, ‘This is my son who is living, and your son is the dead one’; and [d]the other says, ‘No! For your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.’” 24 The king said, “Get me a sword.” So they brought a sword before the king. 25 The king said, “Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other.” 26 Then the woman whose child was the living one spoke to the king, for [e](C)she was deeply stirred over her son and said, “Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and by no means kill him.” But the other said, “He shall be neither mine nor yours; divide him!” 27 Then the king said, “Give [f]the first woman the living child, and by no means kill him. She is his mother.” 28 When all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had [g]handed down, they feared the king, for (D)they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to [h]administer justice.

Solomon’s Officials

4 Now King Solomon was king over all Israel.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Kings 3:17 Lit I and this woman
  2. 1 Kings 3:22 Lit this one was saying
  3. 1 Kings 3:23 Lit this one
  4. 1 Kings 3:23 Lit this one
  5. 1 Kings 3:26 Lit her compassion grew warm
  6. 1 Kings 3:27 Lit her the living child
  7. 1 Kings 3:28 Lit judged
  8. 1 Kings 3:28 Lit do
Close TLV

1 Kings 3:15-4:1
Tree of Life Version

15 Then Solomon awoke and took note of the dream. So he went to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then he made a feast for all his courtiers.

Judging Between Two Women

16 Later two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. 17 One woman said: “My lord, please! This woman and I live in the same house, and I delivered a child while she was in the house. 18 On the third day after I gave birth, this woman also gave birth to a child. While we were together with no one else with us in the house, just the two of us in the house, 19 this woman’s child died during the night, because she lay on top of him. 20 Then she got up in the middle of the night and took my son from my side while your handmaid was asleep. She laid him at her breast and laid her dead child at my breast. 21 When I rose in the morning to nurse my child, he had just died! But when I looked at him closely in the morning, I realized that he was not the son I had borne!”

22 But the other woman said, “No! For the living one is my son, and the dead one is your son!”

But the first woman said, “No! The dead one is your son and the living one is my son!” Thus they spoke before the king.

23 Then said the king: “The one says, ‘This is my son who is living, and your son is the dead,’ while the other says, ‘No, but your son is the dead one and my son is the living one.’”

24 Then the king said: “Bring me a sword.” So they brought a sword before the king. 25 Then the king said: “Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one and half to the other.”

26 Then the woman whose son was the living one spoke up to the king—for her heart grew tender for her son—and said, “My lord, please! Give her the living child! Only don’t kill him!”

But the other said, “It will be neither mine nor yours! Cut it in two!”

27 Then the king responded by saying, “Give her the living child and certainly don’t kill him. She is the mother.” 28 When all Israel heard of the verdict that the king had given, they were in awe of the king. For they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice.

Solomon’s Official Staff

4 Now King Solomon reigned over all Israel,

Close NIV

1 Kings 3:15-4:1
New International Version

15 Then Solomon awoke(A)—and he realized it had been a dream.(B)

He returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord’s covenant and sacrificed burnt offerings(C) and fellowship offerings.(D) Then he gave a feast(E) for all his court.

A Wise Ruling

16 Now two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. 17 One of them said, “Pardon me, my lord. This woman and I live in the same house, and I had a baby while she was there with me. 18 The third day after my child was born, this woman also had a baby. We were alone; there was no one in the house but the two of us.

19 “During the night this woman’s son died because she lay on him. 20 So she got up in the middle of the night and took my son from my side while I your servant was asleep. She put him by her breast and put her dead son by my breast. 21 The next morning, I got up to nurse my son—and he was dead! But when I looked at him closely in the morning light, I saw that it wasn’t the son I had borne.”

22 The other woman said, “No! The living one is my son; the dead one is yours.”

But the first one insisted, “No! The dead one is yours; the living one is mine.” And so they argued before the king.

23 The king said, “This one says, ‘My son is alive and your son is dead,’ while that one says, ‘No! Your son is dead and mine is alive.’”

24 Then the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought a sword for the king. 25 He then gave an order: “Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other.”

26 The woman whose son was alive was deeply moved(F) out of love for her son and said to the king, “Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don’t kill him!”

But the other said, “Neither I nor you shall have him. Cut him in two!”

27 Then the king gave his ruling: “Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him; she is his mother.”

28 When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom(G) from God to administer justice.

Solomon’s Officials and Governors

4 So King Solomon ruled over all Israel.

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1 Kings 2
1 Kings 5
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Matthew 27:15-46
New American Standard Bible 1995

15 (A)Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the [a]people any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. 17 So when the people gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you? Barabbas, or Jesus (B)who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that because of envy they had handed Him over.

19 (C)While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message, saying, “Have nothing to do with that (D)righteous Man; for [b]last night I suffered greatly (E)in a dream because of Him.” 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to (F)ask for Barabbas and to put Jesus to death. 21 But the governor [c]said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate *said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus (G)who is called Christ?” They all *said, “[d]Crucify Him!” 23 And he said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they kept shouting all the more, saying, “[e]Crucify Him!”

24 When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that (H)a riot was starting, he took water and (I)washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of (J)this Man’s blood; (K)see to that yourselves.” 25 And all the people said, “(L)His blood shall be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released Barabbas [f]for them; but after having Jesus (M)scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified.

Jesus Is Mocked

27 (N)Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into (O)the [g]Praetorium and gathered the whole Roman [h](P)cohort around Him. 28 They stripped Him and (Q)put a scarlet robe on Him. 29 (R)And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a [i]reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, “(S)Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 (T)They spat on Him, and took the reed and began to beat Him on the head. 31 (U)After they had mocked Him, they took the scarlet robe off Him and put His own garments back on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him.

32 (V)As they were coming out, they found a man of (W)Cyrene named Simon, [j]whom they pressed into service to bear His cross.

The Crucifixion

33 (X)And when they came to a place called (Y)Golgotha, which means Place of a Skull, 34 (Z)they gave Him (AA)wine to drink mixed with gall; and after tasting it, He was unwilling to drink.

35 And when they had crucified Him, (AB)they divided up His garments among themselves by casting [k]lots. 36 And sitting down, they began to (AC)keep watch over Him there. 37 And above His head they put up the charge against Him [l]which read, “(AD)THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

38 At that time two robbers *were crucified with Him, one on the right and one on the left. 39 And those passing by were [m]hurling abuse at Him, (AE)wagging their heads 40 and saying, “(AF)You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! (AG)If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41 In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking Him and saying, 42 “(AH)He saved others; [n]He cannot save Himself. (AI)He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him. 43 (AJ)He trusts in God; let God rescue Him now, if He [o]delights in Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 (AK)The robbers who had been crucified with Him were also insulting Him with the same words.

45 (AL)Now from the [p]sixth hour darkness [q]fell upon all the land until the [r]ninth hour. 46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “(AM)Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 27:15 Lit crowd
  2. Matthew 27:19 Lit today
  3. Matthew 27:21 Lit answered and said to them
  4. Matthew 27:22 Lit Let Him be crucified
  5. Matthew 27:23 Lit Let Him be crucified
  6. Matthew 27:26 Or to them
  7. Matthew 27:27 I.e. the governor’s official residence
  8. Matthew 27:27 Or battalion
  9. Matthew 27:29 Or staff; i.e. to mimic a king’s scepter
  10. Matthew 27:32 Lit this one
  11. Matthew 27:35 Lit a lot
  12. Matthew 27:37 Lit written
  13. Matthew 27:39 Or blaspheming
  14. Matthew 27:42 Or can He not save Himself?
  15. Matthew 27:43 Or takes pleasure in; or cares for him
  16. Matthew 27:45 I.e. 12 noon
  17. Matthew 27:45 Or occurred
  18. Matthew 27:45 I.e. 3 p.m.
Close TLV

Matthew 27:15-46
Tree of Life Version

15 Now during the feast, the governor was accustomed to release to the crowd one prisoner, anyone they wanted. 16 At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Yeshua Bar-Abba. 17 So when they were gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Which one do you want me to release for you? Yeshua who is Bar-Abba, or Yeshua who is called Messiah?” [a] 18 For he knew that they had handed Him over out of envy.

19 While Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message, saying, “Don’t have anything to do with that righteous Man, for today I’ve suffered many things in a dream because of Him.”

20 Now the ruling kohanim and elders persuaded the crowds that they should ask for Bar-Abba and destroy Yeshua. 21 But the governor responded, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?”

And they said, “Bar-Abba!”

22 Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Yeshua, who is called Messiah?”

“Execute Him!” all of them say.

23 But Pilate said, “Why? What evil has He done?”

But they kept shouting all the more, saying, “Let Him be executed!”

24 When Pilate saw he was accomplishing nothing, but instead a riot was starting, he took some water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this blood,”[b] he said. “You see to it yourselves!”

25 All the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children!”[c]

26 Then he released to them Bar-Abba. And after he had Yeshua scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified.

Nailed to a Stake

27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Yeshua into the Praetorium and gathered the whole cohort around Him. 28 They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe around Him. 29 And after braiding a crown of thorns, they placed it on His head and put a staff in His right hand. And falling on their knees before Him, they mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 They spat on Him, and they took the staff and beat Him over and over on the head. 31 When they finished mocking Him, they stripped the robe off Him and put His own clothes back on Him. And they led Him away to crucify Him.

32 As they came out, they found a man from Cyrene, Simon by name. They forced him into service, to carry Yeshua’s cross-beam. [d] 33 And when they came to a place called Golgotha (that is to say, Place of a Skull), 34 they offered Him wine mixed with gall to drink;[e] but after tasting, He was unwilling to drink it. 35 And when they had crucified Him, they divided His clothing among themselves by casting lots. [f] 36 And they sat down and kept guard over Him there. 37 Over His head they put the charge against Him, which read: “THIS IS YESHUA, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

38 Then two outlaws were executed with Him, one on the right and one on the left. 39 Those passing by were jeering at Him,[g] shaking their heads 40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If you are Ben-Elohim, come down from the stake!”

41 Likewise the ruling kohanim, along with the Torah scholars and elders, were also mocking Him. 42 “He saved others,” they were saying, “but He can’t save Himself? He’s the King of Israel! Let Him come down now from the stake, and we’ll believe in Him! 43 He trusts in God; let God rescue Him now, if He wants Him.[h] For He said, ‘I am Ben-Elohim.’” 44 Even the outlaws who were executed with Him were ridiculing Him in the same way.[i]

Yeshua Lays Down His Life

45 Now from the sixth hour, darkness fell upon all the land until the ninth hour. [j] 46 About the ninth hour Yeshua cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?”[k] that is, “My God, My God, why have You abandoned Me?”

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 27:18 Most mss. omit Yeshua before Bar-Abba. Bar-Abba is Aramaic for Son of the Father.
  2. Matthew 27:24 Some mss. say this righteous blood or this righteous Man’s blood.
  3. Matthew 27:25 cf. Josh. 2:19.
  4. Matthew 27:33 Probably the patibulum, the horizontal piece of the execution stake, weighing about 100 lbs.
  5. Matthew 27:34 cf. Ps. 69:22(21).
  6. Matthew 27:36 Ps. 22:19(18).
  7. Matthew 27:39 cf. Ps. 22:8(7).
  8. Matthew 27:43 cf. Ps. 22:8.
  9. Matthew 27:44 cf. Isa. 53:3.
  10. Matthew 27:46 From noon until 3 p.m.; cf. Job 5:14; Ps. 105:28.
  11. Matthew 27:46 Ps. 22:2(1); cf. Deut. 32:20.
Close NIV

Matthew 27:15-46
New International Version

15 Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner(A) chosen by the crowd. 16 At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus[a] Barabbas. 17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?”(B) 18 For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.

19 While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat,(C) his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent(D) man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream(E) because of him.”

20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.(F)

21 “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.

“Barabbas,” they answered.

22 “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?”(G) Pilate asked.

They all answered, “Crucify him!”

23 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar(H) was starting, he took water and washed his hands(I) in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,”(J) he said. “It is your responsibility!”(K)

25 All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”(L)

26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged,(M) and handed him over to be crucified.

The Soldiers Mock Jesus(N)

27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium(O) and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him,(P) 29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said.(Q) 30 They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again.(R) 31 After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.(S)

The Crucifixion of Jesus(T)

32 As they were going out,(U) they met a man from Cyrene,(V) named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross.(W) 33 They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”).(X) 34 There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall;(Y) but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. 35 When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.(Z) 36 And sitting down, they kept watch(AA) over him there. 37 Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews.

38 Two rebels were crucified with him,(AB) one on his right and one on his left. 39 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads(AC) 40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days,(AD) save yourself!(AE) Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!”(AF) 41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42 “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel!(AG) Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe(AH) in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him(AI) now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

The Death of Jesus(AJ)

45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness(AK) came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,[b] lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).[c](AL)

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 27:16 Many manuscripts do not have Jesus; also in verse 17.
  2. Matthew 27:46 Some manuscripts Eloi, Eloi
  3. Matthew 27:46 Psalm 22:1
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Matthew 26
Matthew 28
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Zechariah 2:14-4:7
New American Standard Bible 1995

Joshua, the High Priest

3 Then he showed me (A)Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and [a](B)Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. 2 The Lord said to Satan, “(C)The Lord rebuke you, Satan! Indeed, the Lord who has (D)chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a (E)brand plucked from the fire?” 3 Now Joshua was clothed with (F)filthy garments and standing before the angel. 4 He spoke and said to those who were standing before him, saying, “(G)Remove the filthy garments from him.” Again he said to him, “See, I have (H)taken your iniquity away from you and [b]will (I)clothe you with festal robes.” 5 Then I said, “Let them put a clean (J)turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments, while the angel of the Lord was standing by.

6 And the angel of the Lord admonished Joshua, saying, 7 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘If you will (K)walk in My ways and if you will perform My service, then you will also (L)govern My house and also have charge of My (M)courts, and I will grant you [c]free access among these who are standing here.

The Branch

8 Now listen, Joshua the high priest, you and your friends who are sitting in front of you—indeed they are men who are a (N)symbol, for behold, I am going to bring in My servant the [d](O)Branch. 9 For behold, the stone that I have set before Joshua; on one stone are (P)seven eyes. Behold, I will engrave an inscription on it,’ declares the Lord of hosts, ‘and I will (Q)remove the iniquity of that land in one day. 10 ‘In that day,’ declares the Lord of hosts, ‘every one of you will invite his neighbor to sit under his (R)vine and under his fig tree.’”

The Golden Lampstand and Olive Trees

4 Then (S)the angel who was speaking with me returned and (T)roused me, as a man who is awakened from his sleep. 2 He said to me, “(U)What do you see?” And I said, “I see, and behold, a (V)lampstand all of gold with its bowl on the top of it, and its (W)seven lamps on it with seven spouts belonging to each of the lamps which are on the top of it; 3 also (X)two olive trees by it, one on the right side of the bowl and the other on its left side.” 4 Then I said to the angel who was speaking with me saying, “What are these, (Y)my lord?” 5 So (Z)the angel who was speaking with me answered and said to me, “(AA)Do you not know what these are?” And I said, “No, my lord.” 6 Then he [e]said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to (AB)Zerubbabel saying, ‘(AC)Not by might nor by power, but by My (AD)Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts. 7 ‘What are you, O great (AE)mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain; and he will bring forth the top stone with (AF)shouts of “Grace, grace to it!”’”

Footnotes

  1. Zechariah 3:1 Or the Adversary or Accuser
  2. Zechariah 3:4 Lit to clothe
  3. Zechariah 3:7 Lit goings
  4. Zechariah 3:8 Lit Sprout
  5. Zechariah 4:6 Lit said to me, saying
Close TLV

Zechariah 2:14-4:7
Tree of Life Version

14 “‘Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming and I will live among you’[a]—it is a declaration of Adonai. 15 ‘In that day many nations will join themselves to Adonai and they will be My people and I will dwell among you.’ Then you will know that Adonai-Tzva’ot has sent me to you. 16 Adonai will inherit Judah as His portion in the holy land and will once again choose Jerusalem. 17 Be silent before Adonai, all flesh, for He has aroused Himself from His holy dwelling.”

Joshua the Kohen Gadol

3 Then he showed me Joshua the kohen gadol standing before the angel of Adonai and the satan[b], standing at his right hand to accuse him. [c] 2 Adonai said to the satan, ‘Adonai rebukes you, the satan. Indeed Adonai, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you.[d] Is not this man a brand plucked out of the fire?’

3 Now Joshua was wearing filthy garments and standing before the angel 4 who answered and spoke to those standing before him saying, ‘Remove the filthy garments from him.’ Then to Joshua he said, ‘See, I have removed your iniquity from you and will dress you with fine clothing.’[e]

5 Then I said, ‘Place a clean turban on his head.’

So they put a pure turban on his head and clothed him with garments while the angel of Adonai stood by.

6 The angel of Adonai exhorted Joshua saying:

7 ‘Thus says Adonai-Tzva’ot, “If you will walk in My ways and keep My charge, then you will judge My House and watch over My courts and I will give you a place to walk among these standing here. 8 Listen well, Joshua kohen gadol, both you and your companions seated before you, because they are men who are a sign—behold, I will bring forth My servant the Branch. 9 For behold! The stone I have laid before Joshua is one stone with seven facets. On it I will engrave an inscription,” declares Adonai-Tzva’ot, “that I will remove the iniquity of this land in one day. 10 In that day,” declares Adonai-Tzva’ot, “every man will invite his neighbor to sit under the vine and under the fig tree.’”

Two Olive Trees and the Capstone

4 Then the angel who had been speaking with me returned and woke me—like a man who is wakened from his sleep.

2 He asked me, ‘What do you see?’

I replied, ‘Behold, I see a solid gold menorah with its bowl at the top of it, and its seven lamps on it with seven pipes for the lamps that are on the top of it. 3 Also two olive trees are by it, one on the right side of the bowl and the other on the left side of it.’[f]

4 Then I responded by saying to the angel speaking with me, ‘What are these, my lord?’

5 The angel who spoke with me responded by asking me, ‘You do not know what these are?’

I replied, ‘No, my lord.’

6 Then he responded to me by saying, ‘This is the word of Adonai to Zerubbabel saying: “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Ruach!” says Adonai-Tzva’ot. 7 “What are you, great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain. He will bring out the capstone with shouts of “Grace, grace” to it.’”

Footnotes

  1. Zechariah 2:14 cf. John 14:23; 2 Cor. 6:16.
  2. Zechariah 3:1 Meaning, the accuser or the adversary, see Glossary.
  3. Zechariah 3:2 cf. Matt. 4:10; Rev. 12:9-10.
  4. Zechariah 3:2 cf. Jude 9, 23.
  5. Zechariah 3:4 cf. Rev. 19:8.
  6. Zechariah 4:3 cf. Rev. 11:4.
Close NIV

Zechariah 2:14-4:7
New International Version

Clean Garments for the High Priest

3 Then he showed me Joshua(A) the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan[a](B) standing at his right side to accuse him. 2 The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you,(C) Satan! The Lord, who has chosen(D) Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick(E) snatched from the fire?”(F)

3 Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. 4 The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.”

Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin,(G) and I will put fine garments(H) on you.”

5 Then I said, “Put a clean turban(I) on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him, while the angel of the Lord stood by.

6 The angel of the Lord gave this charge to Joshua: 7 “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘If you will walk in obedience to me and keep my requirements,(J) then you will govern my house(K) and have charge(L) of my courts, and I will give you a place among these standing here.(M)

8 “‘Listen, High Priest(N) Joshua, you and your associates seated before you, who are men symbolic(O) of things to come: I am going to bring my servant, the Branch.(P) 9 See, the stone I have set in front of Joshua!(Q) There are seven eyes[b](R) on that one stone,(S) and I will engrave an inscription on it,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will remove the sin(T) of this land in a single day.

10 “‘In that day each of you will invite your neighbor to sit(U) under your vine and fig tree,(V)’ declares the Lord Almighty.”

The Gold Lampstand and the Two Olive Trees

4 Then the angel who talked with me returned and woke(W) me up, like someone awakened from sleep.(X) 2 He asked me, “What do you see?”(Y)

I answered, “I see a solid gold lampstand(Z) with a bowl at the top and seven lamps(AA) on it, with seven channels to the lamps. 3 Also there are two olive trees(AB) by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.”

4 I asked the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?”

5 He answered, “Do you not know what these are?”

“No, my lord,” I replied.(AC)

6 So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:(AD) ‘Not(AE) by might nor by power,(AF) but by my Spirit,’(AG) says the Lord Almighty.

7 “What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground.(AH) Then he will bring out the capstone(AI) to shouts(AJ) of ‘God bless it! God bless it!’”

Footnotes

  1. Zechariah 3:1 Hebrew satan means adversary.
  2. Zechariah 3:9 Or facets
Next
Zechariah 1
Zechariah 5
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Close NASB1995

Romans 10:1-13
New American Standard Bible 1995

The Word of Faith Brings Salvation

10 Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. 2 For I testify about them that they have (A)a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. 3 For not knowing about (B)God’s righteousness and (C)seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. 4 For (D)Christ is the [a]end of the law for righteousness to (E)everyone who believes.

5 For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is [b]based on law (F)shall live [c]by that righteousness. 6 But (G)the righteousness [d]based on faith speaks as follows: “(H)Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), 7 or ‘Who will descend into the (I)abyss?’ (that is, to (J)bring Christ up from the dead).” 8 But what does it say? “(K)The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9 [e]that (L)if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and (M)believe in your heart that (N)God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, [f]resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, [g]resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “(O)Whoever believes in Him will not be [h]disappointed.” 12 For (P)there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is (Q)Lord of (R)all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; 13 for “(S)Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 10:4 Or goal
  2. Romans 10:5 Lit out of, from
  3. Romans 10:5 Lit by it
  4. Romans 10:6 Lit out of, from
  5. Romans 10:9 Or because
  6. Romans 10:10 Lit to righteousness
  7. Romans 10:10 Lit to salvation
  8. Romans 10:11 Lit put to shame
Close TLV

Romans 10:1-13
Tree of Life Version

Misdirected Zeal

10 Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for Israel is for their salvation. 2 For I testify about them that they have zeal for God—but not based on knowledge. 3 For being ignorant of God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit themselves to the righteousness of God. 4 For Messiah is the goal[a] of the Torah as a means to righteousness for everyone who keeps trusting.

5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on Torah, “The man who does these things shall live by them.” [b] 6 But the righteousness based on faith speaks in this way:

“Do not say in your heart,[c]
‘Who will go up into heaven?’[d]
    (that is, to bring Messiah down),
7 or, ‘Who will go down into the abyss?’[e]
    (that is, to bring Messiah up from the dead).”

8 But what does it say?

“The word is near you,
    in your mouth and in your heart”[f]
—that is, the word of faith
that we are proclaiming:
9 For if you confess with your mouth
        that Yeshua is Lord,
and believe in your heart
        that God raised Him from the dead,
    you will be saved.
10 For with the heart it is believed for righteousness,
and with the mouth it is confessed for salvation.

11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever trusts in Him will not be put to shame.” [g] 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all—richly generous to all who call on Him. 13 For “Everyone who calls upon the name of Adonai shall be saved.”[h]

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 10:4 Or end-goal.
  2. Romans 10:6 Lev. 18:5.
  3. Romans 10:6 Deut. 9:4.
  4. Romans 10:6 Deut. 30:12.
  5. Romans 10:7 Deut. 30:13; cf. Ps. 71:20.
  6. Romans 10:8 Deut. 30:14.
  7. Romans 10:12 Isa. 28:16.
  8. Romans 10:13 Joel 2:32(LXX); cf. Joel 3:5.
Close NIV

Romans 10:1-13
New International Version

10 Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire(A) and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous(B) for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3 Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.(C) 4 Christ is the culmination of the law(D) so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.(E)

5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.”[a](F) 6 But the righteousness that is by faith(G) says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’”[b](H) (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’”[c](I) (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).(J) 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,”[d](K) that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare(L) with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,”(M) and believe(N) in your heart that God raised him from the dead,(O) you will be saved.(P) 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”[e](Q) 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile(R)—the same Lord is Lord of all(S) and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord(T) will be saved.”[f](U)

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 10:5 Lev. 18:5
  2. Romans 10:6 Deut. 30:12
  3. Romans 10:7 Deut. 30:13
  4. Romans 10:8 Deut. 30:14
  5. Romans 10:11 Isaiah 28:16 (see Septuagint)
  6. Romans 10:13 Joel 2:32
Next
Romans 9
Romans 11
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