Joseph was made governor
over all Egypt. First, there were seven
years of plenty. Then there were seven
years of famine. The famine was all over
the world; but only in Egypt was here bread.
Whenever the people would ask for food, the king would say: “Go to
Joseph!”
Joseph’s father and
brothers lived in the land of Chanaan.
The brothers of Joseph came to Egypt to buy food. Joseph immediately recognized them when he
saw them; but his brothers did not know him.
They presented themselves to Joseph and said that they had come to buy
food, and that they had another brother who had remained behind with their
father, and that another was dead.
Joseph said to them: “You are spies.
I shall not let you go, unless your youngest brother is brought
here. One of you can go to fetch him,
and until he returns, the rest of you will be placed in prison.” And Joseph did
as he said.
After three days, Joseph
had his brothers brought before him.
“Let one of you stay in prison, while the rest of you go home,” he
said. “Take the corn to your people, but
bring me your youngest brother.”
The brothers dis as
Joseph commanded them. The famine continued
its course. When all the corn had been
consumed, Jacob said to his sons: “Go again to Egypt and buy us a little food.”
But one of them
answered: “We cannot go unless you send our brother, Benjamin, with us.” Therefore, the brothers took Benjamin with
them and went down into Egypt. They also
took money and presents with them.
When Joseph saw
Benjamin, he said: “God be good to you, my son.”
Joseph was so filled
with joy that he rushed into his own room and wept. Then Joseph washed his face and went back to
his brothers. He invited them to eat
with him. And they drank and were
merry. Joseph could no longer wait to
tell his brothers who he was. He ordered
everyone else from the room, and in tears said to his brothers were afraid and
could not answer him at once.
Again, Joseph addressed
them tenderly: “Do not be afraid. It was
not bad that you sold me into this country.
God sent me to Egypt to help you in this famine.”
The brothers then
returned to their father in Chanaan, bringing many gifts from Joseph. He also sent a wagon to bring his father to
him.
When Jacob heard that his
son, Joseph, was still living, he was very happy. He said: “I will go and see my son before I
die.”
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