Revised Standard Version RSV
New International Version NIV
15 When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil which we did to him."
15
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 a message to Joseph, saying, "Your father gave this command before he died,
16
So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died:
17 'Say to Joseph, Forgive, I pray you, the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.' And now, we pray you, forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father." Joseph wept when they spoke to him.
17
‘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 His brothers also came and fell down before him, and said, "Behold, we are your servants."
18
His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said.
19 But Joseph said to them, "Fear not, for am I in the place of God?
19
But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?
20 As for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
20
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
21 So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones." Thus he reassured them and comforted them.
21
So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.
22 So Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he and his father's house; and Joseph lived a hundred and ten years.
22
Joseph stayed in Egypt, along with all his father’s family. He lived a hundred and ten years
23 And Joseph saw E'phraim's children of the third generation; the children also of Machir the son of Manas'seh were born upon Joseph's knees.
23
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 And Joseph said to his brothers, "I am about to die; but God will visit you, and bring you up out of this land to the land which he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob."
24
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 took an oath of the sons of Israel, saying, "God will visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here."
25
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 So Joseph died, being a hundred and ten years old; and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.
26
So Joseph died at the age of a hundred and ten. And after they embalmed him, he was placed in a coffin in Egypt.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. 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.