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

¹⁴ So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon.^(I) When he had shaved^(J) and changed his clothes,^(K) he came before Pharaoh.

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

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

²⁵ Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same.^(A) God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do.^{(B) 26} The seven good cows^(C) 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.^(D)

²⁸ “It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do.^{(E) 29} Seven years of great abundance^(F) are coming throughout the land of Egypt, ³⁰ but seven years of famine^(G) will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land.^{(H) 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^(I) by God, and God will do it soon.^(J)

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

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

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

Joseph in Charge of Egypt

⁴¹ So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.”^{(Y) 42} Then Pharaoh took his signet ring^(Z) from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes^(AA) of fine linen^(AB) and put a gold chain around his neck.^{(AC) 43} He had him ride in a chariot^(AD) as his second-in-command,^[b](AE) and people shouted before him, “Make way^[c]!”^(AF) Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt.^(AG)

⁴⁴ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, but without your word no one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt.”^(AH)