Joseph maketh himself known to his brethren: and sendeth for his
father.
45:1. Joseph could no longer refrain himself before many that stood by:
whereupon he commanded that all should go out, and no stranger be
present at their knowing one another.
45:2. And he lifted up his voice with weeping, which the Egyptians, and
all the house of Pharao heard.
45:3. And he said to his brethren: I am Joseph: Is my father yet
living? His brethren could not answer him, being struck with exceeding
great fear.
45:4. And he said mildly to them: Come nearer to me. And when they were
come near him, he said: I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into
Egypt.
45:5. Be not afraid, and let it not seem to you a hard case that you
sold me into these countries: for God sent me before you into Egypt for
your preservation.
45:6. For it is two years since the famine began to be upon the land,
and five years more remain, wherein there can be neither ploughing nor
reaping.
45:7. And God sent me before, that you may be preserved upon the earth,
and may have food to live.
45:8. Not by your counsel was I sent hither, but by the will of God:
who hath made me as it were a father to Pharao, and lord of his whole
house, and governor in all the land of Egypt.
45:9. Make haste, and go ye up to my father, and say to him: Thus saith
thy son Joseph: God hath made me lord of the whole land of Egypt; come
down to me, linger not.
45:10. And thou shalt dwell in the land of Gessen: and thou shalt be
near me, thou and thy sons, and thy sons’ sons, thy sheep, and thy
herds, and all things that thou hast.
45:11. And there I will feed thee, (for there are yet five years of
famine remaining) lest both thou perish, and thy house, and all things
that thou hast.
45:12. Behold, your eyes, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, see that
it is my mouth that speaketh to you.
45:13. You shall tell my father of all my glory, and all things that
you have seen in Egypt: make haste and bring him to me.
45:14. And falling upon the neck of his brother Benjamin, he embraced
him and wept: and Benjamin in like manner wept also on his neck.
45:15. And Joseph kissed all his brethren, and wept upon every one of
them: after which they were emboldened to speak to him.
45:16. And it was heard, and the fame was spread abroad in the king’s
court: The brethren of Joseph are come; and Pharao with all his family
was glad.
45:17. And he spoke to Joseph that he should give orders to his
brethren, saying: Load your beasts, and go into the land of Chanaan,
45:18. And bring away from thence your father and kindred, and come to
me; and I will give you all the good things of Egypt, that you may eat
the marrow of the land.
45:19. Give orders also that they take wagons out of the land of Egypt,
for the carriage of their children and their wives; and say: Take up
your father, and make haste to come with all speed:
45:20. And leave nothing of your household stuff; for all the riches of
Egypt shall be yours.
45:21. And the sons of Israel did as they were bid. And Joseph gave
them wagons according to Pharao’s commandment: and provisions for the
way.
45:22. He ordered also to be brought out for every one of them two
robes: but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, with
five robes of the best:
45:23. Sending to his father as much money and raiment; adding besides,
ten he-asses, to carry off all the riches of Egypt, and as many
she-asses, carrying wheat and bread for the journey.
45:24. So he sent away his brethren, and at their departing said to
them: Be not angry in the way.
45:25. And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of
Chanaan, to their father Jacob.
45:26. And they told him, saying: Joseph, thy son, is living; and he is
ruler in all the land of Egypt. Which when Jacob heard, he awaked as it
were out of a deep sleep, yet did not believe them.
45:27. They, on the other side, told the whole order of the thing. And
when he saw the wagons, and all that he had sent, his spirit revived,
45:28. And he said: It is enough for me if Joseph, my son, be yet
living: I will go and see him before I die.