Genesis 45

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Joseph could no longer control himself in the presence of all his attendants, so he cried out, "Have everyone withdraw from me!" Thus no one else was about when he made himself known to his brothers.	1 Joseph was unable to restrain himself any longer, standing before so many. Therefore, he instructed that all should go outside, and that no stranger should be among them as they recognized one another.
2 But his sobs were so loud that the Egyptians heard him, and so the news reached Pharaoh's palace.	2 And he lifted up his voice with weeping, which the Egyptians heard, along with the entire house of Pharaoh.
3 "I am Joseph," he said to his brothers. "Is my father still in good health?" But his brothers could give him no answer, so dumbfounded were they at him.	3 And he said to his brothers: “I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?” His brothers were unable to respond, being terrified by a very great fear.
4 "Come closer to me," he told his brothers. When they had done so, he said: "I am your brother Joseph, whom you once sold into Egypt.	4 And he said to them mildly, “Approach toward me.” And when they had approached close by, he said: “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into Egypt.
5 But now do not be distressed, and do not reproach yourselves for having sold me here. It was really for the sake of saving lives that God sent me here ahead of you.	5 Do not be afraid, and let it not seem to you to be a hardship that you sold me into these regions. For God sent me before you into Egypt for your salvation.
6 For two years now the famine has been in the land, and for five more years tillage will yield no harvest.	6 For it is two years since the famine began to be upon the land, and five years more remain, in which there can be neither plowing, nor reaping.
7 God, therefore, sent me on ahead of you to ensure for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives in an extraordinary deliverance.	7 And God sent me ahead, so that you may be preserved upon the earth, and so that you would be able to have food in order to live.
8 So it was not really you but God who had me come here; and he has made of me a father to Pharaoh, lord of all his household, and ruler over the whole land of Egypt.	8 I was sent here, not by your counsel, but by the will of God. He has caused me to be like a father to Pharaoh, and to be the lord of his entire house, as well as governor throughout all the land of Egypt.
9 "Hurry back, then, to my father and tell him: 'Thus says your son Joseph: God has made me lord of all Egypt; come to me without delay.	9 Hurry, and go up to my father, and say to him: ‘Your son Joseph commands this: God has caused me to be lord of the entire land of Egypt. Come down to me, do not delay,
10 You will settle in the region of Goshen, where you will be near me--you and your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and everything that you own.	10 and you will live in the land of Goshen. And you will be next to me, you and your sons and the sons of your sons, your sheep and your herds, and all that you possess.
11 Since five years of famine still lie ahead, I will provide for you there, so that you and your family and all that are yours may not suffer want.'	11 And there I will pasture you, (for there are still five years of famine remaining) lest both you and your house perish, along with all that you possess.’
12 Surely, you can see for yourselves, and Benjamin can see for himself, that it is I, Joseph, who am speaking to you.	12 Behold, your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin can see that it is my mouth speaking to you.
13 Tell my father all about my high position in Egypt and what you have seen. But hurry and bring my father down here."	13 You will report to my father about all my glory, and about all that you have seen in Egypt. Hurry, and bring him to me.”
14 Thereupon he flung himself on the neck of his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin wept in his arms.	14 And then falling upon the neck of his brother Benjamin, he embraced him and wept. And likewise, Benjamin wept at the same time on his neck.
15 Joseph then kissed all his brothers, crying over each of them; and only then were his brothers able to talk with him.	15 And Joseph kissed all his brothers, and he cried over each one. After this, they were emboldened to speak to him.
16 When the news reached Pharaoh's palace that Joseph's brothers had come, Pharaoh and his courtiers were pleased.	16 And it was overheard, and the news spread by word throughout the king’s court. The brothers of Joseph had arrived, and Pharaoh was gladdened along with all his family.
17 So Pharaoh told Joseph: "Say to your brothers: 'This is what you shall do: Load up your animals and go without delay to the land of Canaan.	17 And he told Joseph that he should command his brothers, saying: “ ‘Burden your beasts, and go into the land of Canaan,
18 There get your father and your families, and then come back here to me; I will assign you the best land in Egypt, where you will live off the fat of the land.'	18 and take from there your father and kindred, and come to me. And I will give you all the good things of Egypt, so that you may eat from the marrow of the land.’ ”
19 Instruct them further: 'Do this. Take wagons from the land of Egypt for your children and your wives and to transport your father on your way back here.	19 “And you may even instruct that they take wagons from the land of Egypt, in order to transport their little ones as well as their wives. And say: ‘Take your father, and come quickly, as soon as possible.
20 Do not be concerned about your belongings, for the best in the whole land of Egypt shall be yours.'"	20 You need not give up anything from your household, for all the riches of Egypt will be yours.’ ”
21 The sons of Israel acted accordingly. Joseph gave them the wagons, as Pharaoh had ordered, and he supplied them with provisions for the journey.	21 And the sons of Israel did just as they were commanded. And Joseph gave them wagons, according to the command of Pharaoh, and provisions for the journey.
22 He also gave to each of them fresh clothing, but to Benjamin he gave three hundred shekels of silver and five sets of garments.	22 Likewise, he ordered two robes for each of them to be brought. Yet truly, to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver along with five of the best robes.
23 Moreover, what he sent to his father was ten jackasses loaded with the finest products of Egypt and ten jennies loaded with grain and bread and other provisions for his journey.	23 And he sent just as much money and clothing to his father, adding also ten male donkeys, with which to transport all the riches of Egypt, and as many female donkeys, carrying wheat and bread for the journey.
24 As he sent his brothers on their way, he told them, "Let there be no recriminations on the way."	24 Thus he sent away his brothers, and as they set out he said, “Do not become angry on the way.”
25 So they left Egypt and made their way to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan.	25 And they ascended out of Egypt, and they arrived in the land of Canaan, to their father Jacob.
26 When they told him, "Joseph is still alive--in fact, it is he who is ruler of all the land of Egypt," he was dumbfounded; he could not believe them.	26 And they reported to him, saying: “Your son Joseph is alive, and he is ruler throughout all the land of Egypt. When Jacob heard this, he was stirred up, as if from a deep sleep, yet he did not believe them.
27 But when they recounted to him all that Joseph had told them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent for his transport, the spirit of their father Jacob revived.	27 To the contrary, they explained the entire matter in order. And when he had seen the wagons, and all that he had sent, his spirit revived,
28 "It is enough," said Israel. "My son Joseph is still alive! I must go and see him before I die."	28 and he said: “It is enough for me, if my son Joseph is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”