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Genesis 50:15-21
New International Version
Genesis 50:15-21
New International Version
Joseph Reassures His Brothers
15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge(A) against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?”(B) 16 So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions(C) before he died: 17 ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins(D) and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’(E) Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.(F)” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.(G)
18 His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him.(H) “We are your slaves,”(I) they said.
19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?(J) 20 You intended to harm me,(K) but God intended(L) it for good(M) to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.(N) 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.(O)” And he reassured them and spoke kindly(P) to them.
Genesis 50:15-21
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Genesis 50:15-21
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Joseph’s Kindness
15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said to one another, “If Joseph is holding a grudge against us, he will certainly repay us for all the suffering we caused him.”(A)
16 So they sent this message to Joseph, “Before he died your father gave a command: 17 ‘Say this to Joseph: Please forgive your brothers’ transgression and their sin—the suffering they caused you.’ Therefore, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept(B) when their message came to him. 18 Then his brothers also came to him, bowed down before him, and said, “We are your slaves!”
19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?(C) 20 You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result—the survival of many people.(D) 21 Therefore don’t be afraid. I will take care of you and your little ones.”(E) And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.[a]
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- Genesis 50:21 Lit spoke to their hearts
Genesis 50:15-21
New Living Translation
Genesis 50:15-21
New Living Translation
15 But now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful. “Now Joseph will show his anger and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him,” they said.
16 So they sent this message to Joseph: “Before your father died, he instructed us 17 to say to you: ‘Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you—for their sin in treating you so cruelly.’ So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive our sin.” When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept. 18 Then his brothers came and threw themselves down before Joseph. “Look, we are your slaves!” they said.
19 But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. 21 No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.
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Genesis 50:15-21
New King James Version
Genesis 50:15-21
New King James Version
Joseph Reassures His Brothers
15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, (A)they said, “Perhaps Joseph will hate us, and may [a]actually repay us for all the evil which we did to him.” 16 So they sent messengers to Joseph, saying, “Before your father died he commanded, saying, 17 ‘Thus you shall say to Joseph: “I beg you, please forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin; (B)for they did evil to you.” ’ Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of (C)the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him.
18 Then his brothers also went and (D)fell down before his face, and they said, “Behold, we are your servants.”
19 Joseph said to them, (E)“Do not be afraid, (F)for am I in the place of God? 20 (G)But as for you, you meant evil against me; but (H)God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. 21 Now therefore, do not be afraid; (I)I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke [b]kindly to them.
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- Genesis 50:15 fully
- Genesis 50:21 Lit. to their hearts
Genesis 50:15-21
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Genesis 50:15-21
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Joseph Forgives His Brothers
15 Realizing that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers said, “What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?”(A) 16 So they approached[a] Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this instruction before he died, 17 ‘Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.’ Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18 Then his brothers also wept,[b] fell down before him, and said, “We are here as your slaves.”(B) 19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God?(C) 20 Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today.(D) 21 So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones.” In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them.(E)
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New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVUE)
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.