Genesis 45

NEW JERUSALEM	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Then Joseph could not control his feelings in front of al his retainers, and he exclaimed, 'Let everyoneleave me.' No one therefore was present with him while Joseph 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 he wept so loudly that al the Egyptians heard, and 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 Joseph said to his brothers, 'I am Joseph. Is my father real y stil alive?' His brothers could not answerhim, they were so dumbfounded at seeing 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 Then Joseph said to his brothers, 'Come closer to me.' When they had come closer to him he said, 'Iam your brother Joseph whom you 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 grieve, do not reproach yourselves for having sold me here, since God sent mebefore you to preserve your lives.	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 this is the second year there has been famine in the country, and there are still five years to comewithout ploughing or 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 sent me before you to assure the survival of your race on earth and to save your lives by a greatdeliverance.	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 you who sent me here but God, and he has set me up as a father to Pharaoh, as lord ofal his household and governor of the whole 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 'Return quickly to your father and tel him, "Your son Joseph says this: 'God has made me lord of alEgypt. Come down 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 wil live in the region of Goshen where you wil be near me, you, your children and yourgrandchildren, your flocks, your cattle and al your possessions.	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 There I shal provide for you -- for there are five years of famine stil to come -- so that you, yourhousehold and all yours are not reduced to penury.' "	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 You can see with your own eyes, and my brother Benjamin can see too, that I am who I say I am.	12 Behold, your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin can see that it is my mouth speaking to you.
13 Give my father a ful report of al the honour I enjoy in Egypt, and of al you have seen; and quicklybring 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 Then throwing his arms round the neck of his brother Benjamin he wept; and Benjamin wept on hisshoulder.	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 He kissed al his brothers, weeping on each one. Only then were his brothers able to talk to him.	15 And Joseph kissed all his brothers, and he cried over each one. After this, they were emboldened to speak to him.
16 News reached Pharaoh's palace that Joseph's brothers had come, and Pharaoh was pleased to hearit, as were his servants.	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 Pharaoh told Joseph, 'Say to your brothers, "Do this: load your beasts and hurry away to Canaan.	17 And he told Joseph that he should command his brothers, saying: “ ‘Burden your beasts, and go into the land of Canaan,
18 Fetch your father and your families, and come back to me. I will give you the best territory in Egypt,where you wil 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 And you, for your part, give them this order: "Do this: take waggons from Egypt, for your little onesand your wives. Get your father and come.	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 Never mind about your property, for the best of all Egypt will be yours." '	20 You need not give up anything from your household, for all the riches of Egypt will be yours.’ ”
21 Israel's sons did as they were told. Joseph gave them waggons as Pharaoh had ordered, and hegave them 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 To each and every one he gave new clothes, and to Benjamin three hundred shekels of silver andfive changes of clothes.	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 And to his father he sent ten donkeys laden with the best that Egypt offered, and ten she-donkeysladen with grain, bread and food for his father's 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 And so he sent his brothers on their way. His final words to them were, 'And let there be no upsetson the way!'	24 Thus he sent away his brothers, and as they set out he said, “Do not become angry on the way.”
25 And so they left Egypt. When they reached their father Jacob in Canaan,	25 And they ascended out of Egypt, and they arrived in the land of Canaan, to their father Jacob.
26 they gave him this report, 'Joseph is stil alive. He is at this moment governor of al Egypt!' But hewas as one stunned, for he did 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 However, when they told him all Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the waggons thatJoseph had sent to fetch him, 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 and Israel said, 'That is enough! My son Joseph is stil 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.”