Genesis 45:1-11 ▼

1 Joseph was no longer able to control himself before all his attendants, so he cried out, |Make everyone go out from my presence!| No one remained with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers.

2 He wept loudly; the Egyptians heard it and Pharaoh's household heard about it.

3 Joseph said to his brothers, |I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?| His brothers could not answer him because they were dumbfounded before him.

4 Joseph said to his brothers, |Come closer to me,| so they came near. Then he said, |I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt.

5 Now, do not be upset and do not be angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me ahead of you to preserve life!

6 For these past two years there has been famine in the land and for five more years there will be neither plowing nor harvesting.

7 God sent me ahead of you to preserve you on the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

8 So now, it is not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me an adviser to Pharaoh, lord over all his household, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

9 Now go up to my father quickly and tell him, 'This is what your son Joseph says: |God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; do not delay!

10 You will live in the land of Goshen, and you will be near me--you, your children, your grandchildren, your flocks, your herds, and everything you have.

11 I will provide you with food there because there will be five more years of famine. Otherwise you would become poor--you, your household, and everyone who belongs to you.|'