⁵³ The seven years of abundance in the land of Egypt came to an end, ⁵⁴ and the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. The famine struck every country, but the entire land of Egypt had bread. ⁵⁵ When the famine ravaged the entire land of Egypt and the people pleaded to Pharaoh for bread, Pharaoh said to all of the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph. Do whatever he tells you.” ⁵⁶ The famine covered every part of the land, and Joseph opened all of the granaries^[a] and sold grain to the Egyptians. In the land of Egypt, the famine became more and more severe. ⁵⁷ Every country came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because in every country the famine had also become more severe.