Two sons were born to Joseph before the famine came. ¹  Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, was their mother. ² 

Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, ¹  saying, ²  “Certainly ³  God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s house.”

Then the seven years of famine began, ¹  just as Joseph had predicted. There was famine in all the other lands, but throughout the land of Egypt there was food.

While the famine was over all the earth, ¹  Joseph opened the storehouses ²  and sold grain to the Egyptians. The famine was severe throughout the land of Egypt.

But Jacob did not send Joseph’s brother Benjamin with his brothers, ¹  for he said, ²  “What if some accident ³  happens ⁴  to him?”

Then Joseph remembered ¹  the dreams he had dreamed about them, and he said to them, “You are spies; you have come to see if our land is vulnerable!” ² 

Then Joseph gave orders to fill ¹  their bags with grain, to return each man’s money to his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. His orders were carried out. ² 

Their father Jacob said to them, “You are making me childless! Joseph is gone. ¹  Simeon is gone. ²  And now you want to take ³  Benjamin! Everything is against me.”

So the men took these gifts, and they took double the money with them, along with Benjamin. Then they hurried down to Egypt ¹  and stood before Joseph.

The servant in charge ¹  brought the men into Joseph’s house. He gave them water, and they washed their feet. Then he gave food to their donkeys.

They got their gifts ready for Joseph’s arrival ¹  at noon, for they had heard ²  that they were to have a meal ³  there.

When Joseph came home, they presented him with the gifts they had brought inside, ¹  and they bowed down to the ground before him.

Joseph hurried out, for he was overcome by affection for his brother ¹  and was at the point of tears. ²  So he went to his room and wept there.

Then put ¹  my cup – the silver cup – in the mouth of the youngest one’s sack, along with the money for his grain.” He did as Joseph instructed. ² 

Joseph said to them, “What did you think you were doing? ¹  Don’t you know that a man like me can find out things like this by divination?” ² 

Now it was reported ¹  in the household of Pharaoh, “Joseph’s brothers have arrived.” It pleased ²  Pharaoh and his servants.

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Say to your brothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals and go ¹  to the land of Canaan!

So the sons of Israel did as he said. ¹  Joseph gave them wagons as Pharaoh had instructed, ²  and he gave them provisions for the journey.

They told him, “Joseph is still alive and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt!” Jacob was stunned, ¹  for he did not believe them.

I will go down with you to Egypt and I myself will certainly bring you back from there. ¹  Joseph will close your eyes.” ²