Genesis 45:1-15

1Joseph could no longer control his emotions in front of everyone who was standing around him, so he cried out, “Have everyone leave me!” No one else was there when Joseph told his brothers who he was.

2He cried so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.

3Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” His brothers could not answer him because they were afraid of him.

4“Please come closer to me,” Joseph said to his brothers. When they did so, he said, “I am Joseph, the brother you sold into slavery in Egypt!

5Now, don’t be sad or angry with yourselves that you sold me. God sent me ahead of you to save lives.

6The famine has been in the land for two years. There will be five more years without plowing or harvesting.

7God sent me ahead of you to make sure that you would have descendants on the earth and to save your lives in an amazing way.

8It wasn’t you who sent me here, but God. He has made me ⌞like⌟ a father to Pharaoh, lord over his entire household, and ruler of Egypt.

9“Hurry back to my father, and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says, “God has made me lord of Egypt. Come here to me right away!

10Live in the land of Goshen, where you will be near me. Live there with your children and your grandchildren, as well as your flocks, your herds, and everything you have.

11I will provide for you in Egypt, since there will be five more years of famine. Then you, your family, and all who belong to you won’t lose everything.” ’

12“You and my brother Benjamin can see for yourselves that I am the one who is speaking to you.

13Tell my father how greatly honored I am in Egypt and about everything you have seen. Hurry and bring my father here!”

14He threw his arms around his brother Benjamin and cried with Benjamin, who was crying on his shoulder.

15He kissed all his brothers and cried with them. After that his brothers talked with him.