Joseph forgives his brothers

A severe famine reached Canaan, where Jacob and his family lived. Jacob heard that food was available in Egypt, so he sent ten of his sons there to buy grain. Benjamin stayed home.

Joseph was now governor over Egypt and was the man who sold grain to the people. His brothers bowed before him. Joseph knew them, but they did not know him. He accused them of being spies and told them to bring Benjamin to prove that they had spoken truthfully. Simeon remained in Egypt while the others returned home with food. Joseph also had their money placed back in their sacks.

When the food ran out, the brothers had to return to Egypt. Judah promised Jacob that he would bring Benjamin home safely. In Egypt, Joseph welcomed them to a meal and saw Benjamin again.

Before they left, Joseph ordered his silver cup to be placed in Benjamin's sack. The cup was found, and the brothers returned to Joseph. Judah begged to stay as a servant in Benjamin's place so Benjamin could go home to their father.

Then Joseph sent everyone else from the room and told his brothers who he was. They were troubled, but Joseph told them not to be grieved or angry with themselves. He said God had sent him ahead to preserve life during the famine. Joseph kissed his brothers, wept with them, and told them to bring their father and households to Egypt.

A severe famine spread through the land, including Canaan, where Jacob and his family lived. Egypt had grain, so Jacob sent ten of his sons there to buy food. He kept Benjamin, Joseph's younger brother, at home.

The brothers did not know that Joseph, whom they had sold, was now governor over Egypt and controlled the sale of grain. When they came before him, they bowed down. Joseph recognized them, but they did not recognize him. He remembered his earlier dreams about them. Joseph accused them of being spies and questioned them about their family. When they said they had a younger brother at home, Joseph required them to bring Benjamin to Egypt. After keeping all of them in custody for three days, he held Simeon and sent the others back with grain. Without their knowing it, he also had their money returned in their sacks.

During this trouble, the brothers spoke among themselves about their guilt concerning Joseph. They did not know that Joseph understood them. He turned away and wept.

The famine continued, and the food from Egypt ran out. Jacob finally allowed Benjamin to go with them after Judah promised to answer for his safety. When Joseph saw Benjamin, he arranged a meal for the brothers. Later, Joseph ordered his steward to fill their sacks with food and place Joseph's silver cup in Benjamin's sack. After they left, the steward overtook them, searched the sacks, and found the cup with Benjamin.

The brothers returned to Joseph. Joseph said Benjamin would remain as his servant, but Judah pleaded for him. Judah explained what losing Benjamin would do to their father and offered to remain as a servant in Benjamin's place.

At that point Joseph could no longer hold back. He sent the Egyptians from the room, wept aloud, and made himself known to his brothers. They were troubled and could not answer him. Joseph called them near and identified himself as the brother they had sold into Egypt. He told them not to be grieved or angry with themselves because God had sent him ahead to preserve life. The famine had lasted two years, and five more years remained. Joseph told them to bring Jacob and their households to Egypt, where he would provide for them. He embraced Benjamin, kissed his brothers, wept with them, and afterward they talked with him. Pharaoh also welcomed Joseph's family to come to Egypt.