¹⁵ Later, after Joseph’s brothers faced the reality of their father’s death, they asked themselves, “What happens if Joseph decides to hold a grudge against us? What if he pays us back in full for all the wrong things we did to him?”

¹⁶ So they sent this message to Joseph: ¹⁷ “Before he died, your father left some instructions. He told us, ‘Tell Joseph, “Please forgive your brothers’ offenses. I beg you, forgive their sins, because they wronged you.”’ So please forgive the transgression of the servants of your father’s God.”

Joseph wept when they talked to him. ¹⁸ So Joseph’s^[a] brothers went to visit him, fell prostrate in front of him, and declared, “Look! We’re your servants.”

¹⁹ “Don’t be afraid,” Joseph responded. “Am I sitting in God’s place? ²⁰ As far as you’re concerned, you were planning evil against me, but God intended it for good, planning to bring about the present result so that many people would be preserved alive. ²¹ So don’t be afraid! I’ll take care of you and your little ones.” So Joseph^[b] kept on comforting them, speaking to the needs of^[c] their hearts.