¹⁵ When Joseph’s brothers had seen that their father was dead, they said, “^(A)What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong which we did to him!” ¹⁶ So they sent instructions to Joseph, saying, “Your father commanded us before he died, saying, ¹⁷ ‘This is what you shall say to Joseph: “Please forgive, I beg you, the offense of your brothers and their sin, for they did you wrong.”’ And now, please forgive the offense of the servants 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 servants.” 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 bring about ^[a]this present result, to keep many people alive. ²¹ So therefore, do not be afraid; ^(D)I will provide for you and your little ones.” So he comforted them and spoke ^[b]kindly to them.