Joseph hath charge of his master's house: rejecteth his mistress's
solicitations: is falsely accused by her, and cast into prison, where he
hath the charge of all the prisoners.
39:1. And Joseph was brought into Egypt, and Putiphar, an eunuch of
Pharao, chief captain of the army, an Egyptian, bought him of the
Ismaelites, by whom he was brought.
39:2. And the Lord was with him, and he was a prosperous man in all
things: and he dwelt in his master's house:
39:3. Who knew very well that the Lord was with him, and made all that
he did to prosper in his hand.
39:4. And Joseph found favour in the sight of his master, and ministered
to him: and being set over all by him, he governed the house committed
to him, and all things that were delivered to him:
39:5. And the Lord blessed the house of the Egyptian for Joseph's sake,
and multiplied all his substance, both at home and in the fields.
39:6. Neither knew he any other thing, but the bread which he ate. And
Joseph was of a beautiful countenance, and comely to behold.
39:7. And after many days, his mistress cast her eyes on Joseph, and
said: Lie with me.
39:8. But he in no wise consenting to that wicked act said to her:
Behold, my master hath delivered all things to me, and knoweth not what
he hath in his own house:
39:9. Neither is there any thing which is not in my power, or that he
hath not delivered to me, but thee, who art his wife; how then can I do
this wicked thing, and sin against my God?
39:10. With such words as these day by day, both the woman was
importunate with the young man, and he refused the adultery.
39:11. Now it happened on a certain day, that Joseph went into the
house, and was doing some business, without any man with him:
39:12. And she catching the skirt of his garment, said: Lie with me. But
he leaving the garment in her hand, fled, and went out.
39:13. And when the woman saw the garment in her hands, and herself
disregarded,
39:14. She called to her the men of her house, and said to them: See, he
hath brought in a Hebrew, to abuse us: he came in to me, to lie with me;
and when I cried out,
39:15. And he heard my voice, he left the garment that I held, and got
him out.
39:16. For a proof therefore of her fidelity, she kept the garment, and
shewed it to her husband when he returned home:
A proof of her fidelity... or an argument to gain credit, argumentum
fidei.
39:17. And said: The Hebrew servant, whom thou hast brought, came to me
to abuse me.
39:18. And when he heard me cry, he left the garment which I held, and
fled out.
39:19. His master hearing these things, and giving too much credit to
his wife's words, was very angry,
39:20. And cast Joseph into the prison, where the king's prisoners were
kept, and he was there shut up.
39:21. But the Lord was with Joseph, and having mercy upon him gave him
favour in the sight of the chief keeper of the prison:
39:22. Who delivered into his hand all the prisoners that were kept in
custody: and whatsoever was done, was under him.
39:23. Neither did he himself know any thing, having committed all
things to him: for the Lord was with him, and made all that he did to
prosper.