Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

Psalm 103^[a]

Praise of God’s Providence

¹ Of David.

Chapter 45

Joseph Reveals Himself to His Brothers and Manifests God’s Plan.^{[a] 1} Joseph could no longer control himself in front of all of his attendants and he cried out, “Let everyone leave my presence!” Thus no one was there when Joseph revealed himself to his brothers. ² He cried out so loudly that all the Egyptians heard him, and the news reached Pharaoh’s palace.

³ Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not respond for they were dumbfounded at his presence.

⁴ Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me!” They approached him, and he said to them, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. ⁵ But do not be grieved and do not be angry with yourselves for having sold me down here, for God sent me here before you to save your lives. ⁶ The famine has already lasted two years in the land, and there are another five years in which there will be neither plowing not reaping. ⁷ God sent me here before you, to preserve a remnant for you on the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

⁸ “It was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me a father to Pharaoh, lord over his whole household, and ruler of all the land of Egypt.

⁹ “Hurry, go up to my father and tell him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, “God has made me lord over all of Egypt. Come down here to me and do not delay. ¹⁰ You will live in the land of Goshen^[b] and stay near me, you and your sons and the sons of your sons, your flocks and your herds, and all your possessions. ¹¹ There I will give you provisions, for there will still be five more years to this famine, lest your family fall into poverty, you, and your family, and all you possess.” ’

¹² “Your own eyes have seen it and the eyes of my brother Benjamin have seen it: it is I who speak to you. ¹³ Tell my father all the glory that I have in Egypt and what you have seen. Hurry to bring my father down here.”

¹⁴ He threw himself on the neck of Benjamin and cried. Benjamin also cried, holding on to his neck. ¹⁵ He then kissed all his brothers and cried, holding them to himself. Afterward, his brothers spoke to him.

¹⁶ In the house of Pharaoh they heard the report: “The brothers of Joseph have arrived.” This pleased Pharaoh and his ministers. ¹⁷ Pharaoh said to Joseph: “Tell your brothers, ‘Do this: load up your animals, leave, and go to the land of Canaan. ¹⁸ Then bring your father and your families and come to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you will eat the finest products of the land.’

¹⁹ “As for you, give them this command: ‘Do this: take wagons with you from the land of Egypt for your children and your wives. Bring your father and come. ²⁰ Do not be concerned about your possessions, for the best of everything in the land of Egypt shall be yours.’ ”

The Lord’s Prayer.^{[a] 7} “When you pray do not go on babbling endlessly as the pagans do, for they believe that they are more likely to be heard because of their many words. ⁸ Do not imitate them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

⁹ “This is how you should pray:

¹⁴ If you forgive others for the wrongs they have done, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.