²¹ They said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother.^(A) We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress^(B) has come on us.”

²² Reuben replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy?^(A) But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting^(B) for his blood.”^(C)

¹⁶ “What can we say to my lord?^(A)” Judah^(B) replied. “What can we say? How can we prove our innocence?^(C) God has uncovered your servants’^(D) guilt. We are now my lord’s slaves^(E)—we ourselves and the one who was found to have the cup.^(F)”

³ Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?”^(A) But his brothers were not able to answer him,^(B) because they were terrified at his presence.^(C)

Joseph Reassures His Brothers

¹⁵ When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge^(A) against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?”^{(B) 16} So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions^(C) before he died: ¹⁷ ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins^(D) and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’^(E) Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.^(F)” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.^(G)

¹⁸ His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him.^(H) “We are your slaves,”^(I) they said.

¹⁹ But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?^{(J) 20} You intended to harm me,^(K) but God intended^(L) it for good^(M) to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.^{(N) 21} So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.^(O)” And he reassured them and spoke kindly^(P) to them.