they sold him for twenty pieces of silver, and Joseph was carried to Egypt. And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid, and dipped the coat in the blood; and they sent it to their father. Then Jacob knew the coat, and said it is my son's coat; an evil beast has devoured him.” and Jacob mourned for Joseph many days. 19. The History of Joseph, Now Joseph was purchased by Potiphar the captain of the guard to Pharaoh, king of Egypt. And he found favour in his master's sight, and was made overseer over all his house. But afterwards being falsely accused by the wife of Potiphar, he was cast into prison. And the keeper of the prison showed favour to Joseph, and trusted him with the care of the prison, because he saw that the Lord was with him. And Pharaoh beheld in a dream seven fat kine come out of the river; and seven lean kine followed them from the river, and did eat them up; and again he saw seven good ears of corn spring up; and seven blighted ears sprung up after them, and devoured them. And when the wise men of Egypt could not interpret the dream, Joseph was sent for. Then Joseph said, "God hath shewed Pharaoh what he will do. There will be seven years of great plenty in the land of Egypt; and there will then follow seven years of famine. Now let the king gather in store, during the seven years of plenty, a supply of food for the seven years of famine. 20. The History of Joseph, And Pharaoh appointed Joseph to be ruler over all the land of Egypt. And Joseph bought up all the food that could be spared, during the seven years of Plenty; and when the years of famine came, he sold it to the Egyptians and to those who came from other countries. And when Joseph's ten brethren came to buy corn in Egypt, Joseph knew his brethren. But they knew him not; and when he in quired about their family, they said, "We are twelve brethren; and the younger is now with our father, and the other is dead." Then Joseph said, "Fetch hither your youngest brother." And he put Simeon, one of them in prison, until they should bring their youngest brother. 21. The History of Joseph, And when they were obliged by the famine to come again to buy corn, they brought their youngest brother Benjamin with them. And Joseph tried them, until he saw that they repented of their sin, in having sold him for a slave. Then Joseph wept aloud and said to them, "I am Jo seph, your brother, whom you sold into Egypt, Be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither. For God did send me before you to preserve life; so it was not you that sent me hither, but God. Haste then and say to my father, Come down to me, tarry not; for I will nourish thee, and all thou hast; for there are yet five years of famine to come." And the sons of Israel returned to their father in the land of Canaan; and they carried him, and their little ones, and their wives, and all that they had into Egypt, in the waggons which Pharaoh had sent. And they dwelled in the land of Goshen; and had possessions therein, and grew and multiplied exceedingly. |