¹⁵ Then Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, and they said, “^(A)What if Joseph bears a grudge against us and returns back to us all the evil which we dealt against him!” ¹⁶ So they ^[a]sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father commanded before he died, saying, ¹⁷ ‘Thus you shall say to Joseph, “Please forgive, I beg you, the transgression of your brothers and their sin, for they dealt evil against you.”’ So now, please forgive the transgression of the slaves of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. ¹⁸ Then his brothers also came and ^(B)fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your slaves.” ¹⁹ But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? ²⁰ As for you, ^(C)you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to do ^[b]what has happened on this day, to keep many people alive. ²¹ So now, do not be afraid; ^(D)I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke to their heart.