New King James Version NKJV
New International Version NIV
15 When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "Perhaps Joseph will hate us, and may actually repay us 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 messengers to Joseph, saying, "Before your father died he commanded, saying,
16
So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died:
17 'Thus you shall say to Joseph: "I beg you, please forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin; for they did evil to you." ' Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father." And 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 Then his brothers also went and fell down before his face, and they said, "Behold, we are your servants."
18
His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said.
19 Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, 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 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.
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 Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." And he comforted them and spoke kindly to 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.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. 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.