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Genesis 50:15-26
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Genesis 50:15-26
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Plea for Forgiveness. 15 [a]Now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful and thought, “Suppose Joseph has been nursing a grudge against us and now most certainly will pay us back in full for all the wrong we did him!” 16 So they sent to Joseph and said: “Before your father died, he gave us these instructions: 17 ‘Thus you shall say to Joseph: Please forgive the criminal wrongdoing of your brothers, who treated you harmfully.’ So now please forgive the crime that we, the servants of the God of your father, committed.” When they said this to him, Joseph broke into tears. 18 Then his brothers also proceeded to fling themselves down before him and said, “We are your slaves!” 19 But Joseph replied to them: “Do not fear. Can I take the place of God? 20 Even though you meant harm to me, God meant it for good, to achieve this present end, the survival of many people.(A) 21 So now, do not fear. I will provide for you and for your children.” By thus speaking kindly to them, he reassured them.(B)
22 Joseph remained in Egypt, together with his father’s household. He lived a hundred and ten years. 23 He saw Ephraim’s children to the third generation, and the children of Manasseh’s son Machir were also born on Joseph’s knees.(C)
Death of Joseph. 24 Joseph said to his brothers: “I am about to die. God will surely take care of you and lead you up from this land to the land that he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”(D) 25 Then, putting the sons of Israel under oath, he continued, “When God thus takes care of you, you must bring my bones up from this place.”(E) 26 Joseph died at the age of a hundred and ten. He was embalmed and laid to rest in a coffin in Egypt.(F)
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 50:15–26 The final reconciliation of the brothers. Fearful of what may happen after the death of their father, the brothers engage in a final deception, inventing the dying wish of Jacob. Again, Joseph weeps, and, again, his brothers fall down before him, offering to be his slaves (44:16, 33). Joseph’s assurance is also a summation of the story: “Even though you meant harm to me, God meant it for good, to achieve this present end, the survival of many people” (v. 20). Joseph’s adoption of the children of Manasseh’s son Machir recalls Jacob’s adoption of his grandchildren (48:5, 13–20); the adoptions reflect tribal history (cf. Jgs 5:14).
Genesis 50:15-26
New International Version
Genesis 50:15-26
New International Version
Joseph Reassures His Brothers
15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge(A) against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?”(B) 16 So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions(C) before he died: 17 ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins(D) and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’(E) Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.(F)” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.(G)
18 His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him.(H) “We are your slaves,”(I) they said.
19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?(J) 20 You intended to harm me,(K) but God intended(L) it for good(M) to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.(N) 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.(O)” And he reassured them and spoke kindly(P) to them.
The Death of Joseph
22 Joseph stayed in Egypt, along with all his father’s family. He lived a hundred and ten years(Q) 23 and saw the third generation(R) of Ephraim’s(S) children.(T) Also the children of Makir(U) son of Manasseh(V) were placed at birth on Joseph’s knees.[a](W)
24 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die.(X) But God will surely come to your aid(Y) and take you up out of this land to the land(Z) he promised on oath to Abraham,(AA) Isaac(AB) and Jacob.”(AC) 25 And Joseph made the Israelites swear an oath(AD) and said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones(AE) up from this place.”(AF)
26 So Joseph died(AG) at the age of a hundred and ten.(AH) And after they embalmed him,(AI) he was placed in a coffin in Egypt.
Footnotes
- Genesis 50:23 That is, were counted as his
New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)
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