Genesis 45

1 Joseph could not hold himself in before all those standing by him, and he called out, "Have everyone go out from me!" And no one stood with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. 2 He raised his voice in weeping. Egypt heard it, and Pharaoh's household heard it. 3 Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?" But his brothers could not answer him, for they were alarmed at being before him. 4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Please come near to me." And they came near. He said, "I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 But now, do not be pained, and do not be angry with yourselves that you sold me here. For it was to keep alive that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For the famine has been in the land for two years now, and there are still five years in which there will be no plowing and no harvest. 7 God sent me ahead of you to make sure you have a remnant in the land, and to keep alive for you, for a great escape. 8 So now, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of all his household, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

9 Hurry and go up to my father and say to 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 be near me—you, your sons and your sons' sons, your flock and your herd, and all that you have. 11 I will provide for you there, for there are still five years of famine to come. Otherwise you would be brought to poverty, you and your household and all that you have.' 12 Look, your own eyes can see, and so can the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my own mouth speaking to you. 13 Tell my father about all my glory in Egypt and about everything you have seen. Then hurry and bring my father down here." 14 Then Joseph threw his arms around the neck of his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin wept on Joseph's neck. 15 He kissed all his brothers and wept over them. After that his brothers talked with him. 16 The news was heard in Pharaoh's house: "Joseph's brothers have come." This pleased Pharaoh and his servants.

17 Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Tell your brothers, 'Do this: load your animals, and go on to the land of Canaan. 18 Then take your father and your households and come to me. Let me give you the best of the land of Egypt, and eat the fat of the land.' 19 And you, you are commanded: 'Do this: take wagons from the land of Egypt for your little ones and your wives, and carry your father, and come. 20 Do not be concerned about your belongings, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.'" 21 The sons of Israel did so. Joseph gave them wagons as Pharaoh had ordered, and he gave them provisions for the journey. 22 To each one of them he gave changes of clothing, and to Benjamin he gave 300 in silver and five changes of clothing. 23 And to his father he sent this: ten donkeys carrying the best things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys carrying grain and bread and food for his father for the journey. 24 Then he sent his brothers away, and they went. He said to them, "Do not get stirred up on the way."

25 They went up from Egypt and came to the land of Canaan, to their father Jacob. 26 They told him, "Joseph is still alive, and in fact he is ruling over all the land of Egypt!" But Jacob's heart went numb, for he did not believe them. 27 They told him all the words that Joseph had spoken to them, and Jacob saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him. Then the spirit of their father Jacob came to life. 28 Israel said, "Enough! My son Joseph is still alive. Let me go and see him before I die."