The Message Bible MSG
New International Version NIV
15 After the funeral, Joseph's brothers talked among themselves: "What if Joseph is carrying a grudge and decides to pay us back for all the wrong we did him?"
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When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?”
16 So they sent Joseph a message, "Before his death, your father gave this command:
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So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died:
17 Tell Joseph, 'Forgive your brothers' sin - all that wrongdoing. They did treat you very badly.' Will you do it? Will you forgive the sins of the servants of your father's God?" When Joseph received their message, he wept.
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‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.
18 Then the brothers went in person to him, threw themselves on the ground before him and said, "We'll be your slaves."
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His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said.
19 Joseph replied, "Don't be afraid. Do I act for God?
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But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?
20 Don't you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now - life for many people.
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You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
21 Easy now, you have nothing to fear; I'll take care of you and your children." He reassured them, speaking with them heart-to-heart.
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So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.
22 Joseph continued to live in Egypt with his father's family. Joseph lived 110 years.
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Joseph stayed in Egypt, along with all his father’s family. He lived a hundred and ten years
23 He lived to see Ephraim's sons into the third generation. The sons of Makir, Manasseh's son, were also recognized as Joseph's.
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and saw the third generation of Ephraim’s children. Also the children of Makir son of Manasseh were placed at birth on Joseph’s knees.
24 At the end, Joseph said to his brothers, "I am ready to die. God will most certainly pay you a visit and take you out of this land and back to the land he so solemnly promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."
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Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”
25 Then Joseph made the sons of Israel promise under oath, "When God makes his visitation, make sure you take my bones with you as you leave here."
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And Joseph made the Israelites swear an oath and said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.”
26 Joseph died at the age of 110 years. They embalmed him and placed him in a coffin in Egypt.
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So Joseph died at the age of a hundred and ten. And after they embalmed him, he was placed in a coffin in Egypt.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.