Psalm 71^(A)

²⁵ Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same.^(A) God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do.^{(B) 26} The seven good cows^(C) are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream. ²⁷ The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind: They are seven years of famine.^(D)

²⁸ “It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do.^{(E) 29} Seven years of great abundance^(F) are coming throughout the land of Egypt, ³⁰ but seven years of famine^(G) will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land.^{(H) 31} The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe. ³² The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided^(I) by God, and God will do it soon.^(J)

³³ “And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man^(K) and put him in charge of the land of Egypt.^{(L) 34} Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners^(M) over the land to take a fifth^(N) of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance.^{(O) 35} They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food.^{(P) 36} This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt,^(Q) so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.”

³⁷ The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials.^{(R) 38} So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God^[a]?”^(S)

³⁹ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you,^(T) there is no one so discerning and wise as you.^{(U) 40} You shall be in charge of my palace,^(V) and all my people are to submit to your orders.^(W) Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.^(X)”

Joseph in Charge of Egypt

⁴¹ So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.”^{(Y) 42} Then Pharaoh took his signet ring^(Z) from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes^(AA) of fine linen^(AB) and put a gold chain around his neck.^{(AC) 43} He had him ride in a chariot^(AD) as his second-in-command,^[b](AE) and people shouted before him, “Make way^[c]!”^(AF) Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt.^(AG)

⁴⁴ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, but without your word no one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt.”^{(AH) 45} Pharaoh gave Joseph^(AI) the name Zaphenath-Paneah and gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest^(AJ) of On,^[d](AK) to be his wife.^(AL) And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt.

Children of God

²³ Before the coming of this faith,^[a] we were held in custody^(A) under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.^{(B) 24} So the law was our guardian until Christ came^(C) that we might be justified by faith.^{(D) 25} Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.^(E)

²⁶ So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God^(F) through faith, ²⁷ for all of you who were baptized into Christ^(G) have clothed yourselves with Christ.^{(H) 28} There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free,^(I) nor is there male and female,^(J) for you are all one in Christ Jesus.^{(K) 29} If you belong to Christ,^(L) then you are Abraham’s seed,^(M) and heirs^(N) according to the promise.^(O)

4 What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. ² The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. ³ So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery^(P) under the elemental spiritual forces^[b] of the world.^{(Q) 4} But when the set time had fully come,^(R) God sent his Son,^(S) born of a woman,^(T) born under the law,^{(U) 5} to redeem^(V) those under the law, that we might receive adoption^(W) to sonship.^{[c](X) 6} Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son^(Y) into our hearts,^(Z) the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,^[d] Father.”^{(AA) 7} So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.^(AB)