¹⁴ After Joseph had buried his father, he went back to Egypt along with his brothers and everyone who had gone there with him to bury his father.

Joseph Forgives His Brothers

¹⁵ Joseph’s brothers realized what their father’s death could mean. So they thought, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us? What if he decides to pay us back for all the evil we did to him?” ¹⁶ They sent a messenger to Joseph to say, “Before your father died, he commanded us, ¹⁷ ‘This is what you should say to Joseph, “I’m begging you to forgive the crime and the sin your brothers committed against you. What they did to you was very evil.” ’ So now, please forgive our crime, because we are servants of your father’s God.” Joseph cried when he got their message.

¹⁸ Then his brothers also came and immediately bowed down in front of him. “We are your slaves!” they said.

¹⁹ Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid! I can’t take God’s place. ²⁰ Even though you planned evil against me, God planned good to come out of it. This was to keep many people alive, as he is doing now. ²¹ Don’t be afraid! I will provide for you and your children.” In this way he reassured them, setting their minds at ease.

¹² As holy people whom God has chosen and loved, be sympathetic, kind, humble, gentle, and patient. ¹³ Put up with each other, and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ Above all, be loving. This ties everything together perfectly. ¹⁵ Also, let Christ’s peace control you. God has called you into this peace by bringing you into one body. Be thankful. ¹⁶ Let Christ’s word with all its wisdom and richness live in you. Use psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to teach and instruct yourselves about ⌞God’s⌟ kindness.^[a] Sing to God in your hearts. ¹⁷ Everything you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

³² Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be executed with him.

The Crucifixion^(A)

³³ When they came to the place called The Skull, they crucified him. The criminals were also crucified, one on his right and the other on his left.

³⁴ Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they’re doing.” ^[a]

Meanwhile, the soldiers divided his clothes among themselves by throwing dice.

³⁵ The people stood there watching. But the rulers were making sarcastic remarks. They said, “He saved others. If he’s the Messiah that God has chosen, let him save himself!” ³⁶ The soldiers also made fun of him. They would go up to him, offer him some vinegar, ³⁷ and say, “If you’re the king of the Jews, save yourself!”

³⁸ A written notice was placed above him. It said, “This is the king of the Jews.”

Criminals Talk to Jesus

³⁹ One of the criminals hanging there insulted Jesus by saying, “So you’re really the Messiah, are you? Well, save yourself and us!”

⁴⁰ But the other criminal scolded him: “Don’t you fear God at all? Can’t you see that you’re condemned in the same way that he is? ⁴¹ Our punishment is fair. We’re getting what we deserve. But this man hasn’t done anything wrong.”

⁴² Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you enter your kingdom.”

⁴³ Jesus said to him, “I can guarantee this truth: Today you will be with me in paradise.”