So he asked Pharaoh’s officials, who were with him in custody in his master’s house, “Why do you look so sad today?”

But remember me when it goes well for you, and show me kindness. Make mention of me to Pharaoh and bring me out of this prison,

In the top basket there were baked goods of every kind for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them from the basket that was on my head.”

Then seven other cows came up after them; they were scrawny, very bad-looking, and lean. I had never seen such bad-looking cows as these in all the land of Egypt!

The seven lean, bad-looking cows that came up after them represent seven years, as do the seven empty heads of grain burned with the east wind. They represent seven years of famine.

You will oversee my household, and all my people will submit to your commands. Only I, the king, will be greater than you.

Pharaoh also said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, but without your permission no one will move his hand or his foot in all the land of Egypt.”

People from every country came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain because the famine was severe throughout the earth.

(Now they did not know that Joseph could understand them, for he was speaking through an interpreter.)

They replied, “The man questioned us thoroughly about ourselves and our family, saying, ‘Is your father still alive? Do you have another brother?’ So we answered him in this way. How could we possibly know that he would say, ‘Bring your brother down’?”

“Everything is fine,” the man in charge of Joseph’s household told them. “Don’t be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks. I had your money.” Then he brought Simeon out to them.

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

When Joseph looked up and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, he said, “Is this your youngest brother, whom you told me about?” Then he said, “May God be gracious to you, my son.”

Then put 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.

They answered him, “Why does my lord say such things? Far be it from your servants to do such a thing!

He replied, “You have suggested your own punishment! The one who has it will become my slave, but the rest of you will go free.”

So tell my father about all my honor in Egypt and about everything you have seen. But bring my father down here quickly!”

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

But when they related to him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to transport him, their father Jacob’s spirit revived.

Jacob sent Judah before him to Joseph to accompany him to Goshen. So they came to the land of Goshen.