New Living Translation NLT
New International Version NIV
15 But now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful. “Now Joseph will show his anger and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him,” they said.
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 this message to Joseph: “Before your father died, he instructed us
16
So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died:
17 to say to you: ‘Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you—for their sin in treating you so cruelly.’ So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive our sin.” When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept.
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 came and threw themselves down before Joseph. “Look, we are your slaves!” they said.
18
His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said.
19 But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you?
19
But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?
20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.
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 No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking 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.
22 So Joseph and his brothers and their families continued to live in Egypt. Joseph lived to the age of 110.
22
Joseph stayed in Egypt, along with all his father’s family. He lived a hundred and ten years
23 He lived to see three generations of descendants of his son Ephraim, and he lived to see the birth of the children of Manasseh’s son Makir, whom he claimed as his own.
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 “Soon I will die,” Joseph told his brothers, “but God will surely come to help you and lead you out of this land of Egypt. He will bring you back to the land he solemnly promised to give 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 made the sons of Israel swear an oath, and he said, “When God comes to help you and lead you back, you must take my bones with you.”
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.”
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