« | Genesis 45 | » |
1 And Joseph could not refrain himself when all were standing by him, but said, Dismiss everyone from before me; and no one stood near Joseph, when he made himself known to his brothers.
2 And he uttered his voice with weeping; and all the Egyptians heard, and it was reported to the house of Pharaoh.
3 And Joseph said to his brothers, I am Joseph; does my father yet live? And his brothers could not answer him, for they were troubled.
4 And Joseph said to his brothers, Draw near to me; and they drew near; and he said, I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt.
5 Now then, do not be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.
6 For this second year there is famine on the earth, and there are yet five years remaining, in which there is to be neither plowing, nor mowing.
7 For God sent me before you, that there might be left to you a remnant upon the earth, even to nourish a great remnant of you.
8 Now then, you did not send me here, but God; and He has made me as a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and ruler of all the land of Egypt.
9 Hurry, therefore, and go up to my father, and say to him, Thus says your son Joseph: God has made me lord of all the land of Egypt; come down therefore to me, and do not delay.
10 And you shall dwell in the land of Goshen of Arabia; and you shall be near me, you and your sons, and your sons' sons, your sheep and your oxen, and whatever things are yours.
11 And I will provide for you there: for the famine is yet for five years; lest you be consumed, and your sons, and all your possessions.
12 Behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaks to you.
13 Therefore report to my father all my glory in Egypt, and all things that you have seen, and make haste and bring my father down here.
14 And he fell on his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept on him; and Benjamin wept on his neck.
15 And he kissed all his brothers, and wept on them; and after these things his brothers spoke to him.
16 And the report was carried into the house of Pharaoh, saying, Joseph's brothers have come; and Pharaoh was glad, and his household.
17 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, Say to your brothers, Do this; fill your wagons, and depart into the land of Canaan.
18 And take up your father, and your possessions, and come to me; and I will give you of all the goods of Egypt, and you shall eat the fat of the land.
19 And do charge them thusly: that they should take for themselves wagons out of the land of Egypt, for your little ones, and for your wives; and take up your father, and come.
20 And be not sparing in regard to your property, for all the best of Egypt shall be yours.
21 And the children of Israel did so; and Joseph gave to them wagons, according to the words spoken by King Pharaoh; and he gave them provision for the journey.
22 And he gave to them all two sets of clothing apiece; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of gold, and five changes of clothing.
23 And to his father he sent [presents] at the same rate, and ten donkeys, bearing some of all the good things of Egypt, and ten mules, bearing bread for his father for the journey.
24 And he sent away his brothers, and they went; and he said to them, Be not angry by the way.
25 And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan, to Jacob their father.
26 And they reported to him, saying, Your son Joseph is living, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt; and Jacob was amazed, for he did not believe them.
27 But they spoke to him all the words uttered by Joseph, whatsoever he said to them; and having seen the chariots which Joseph sent to take him up, the spirit of Jacob their father revived.
28 And Israel said, It is a great thing for me if Joseph my son is yet alive. I will go and see him before I die.
The Apostles’ Bible Complete (ABC)
The Apostles’ Bible Complete (ABC) is a modern translation of the Bible that strives to offer a clear and faithful rendering of the scriptures in contemporary language. This translation is designed to be accessible to a wide audience, providing an easy-to-read yet accurate version of the biblical text. The ABC translation aims to bridge the gap between the ancient languages in which the Bible was originally written and the modern vernacular, making it an ideal choice for both personal study and public reading.
One of the notable features of the Apostles’ Bible Complete is its dedication to maintaining the integrity of the original manuscripts. The translators of the ABC worked meticulously with the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts to ensure that their translation accurately reflects the original meaning and intent of the scriptures. By employing a balance of formal equivalence (word-for-word) and dynamic equivalence (thought-for-thought) translation techniques, the ABC aims to preserve the nuances and richness of the original languages while ensuring readability and clarity for modern readers.
The ABC also incorporates extensive cross-references and study aids to enhance the reader’s understanding of the biblical text. These tools include footnotes that provide historical and cultural context, as well as explanations of difficult or ambiguous passages. This approach helps readers to grasp the deeper meanings of the scriptures and to see how different parts of the Bible interconnect. The inclusion of these study aids makes the ABC particularly useful for those who are new to the Bible, as well as for more experienced readers who are looking to deepen their understanding of the text.
Despite its strengths, the Apostles’ Bible Complete has faced some criticisms. Some readers feel that the translation could benefit from further refinement in certain passages, as the balance between formal and dynamic equivalence can sometimes lead to inconsistencies in style and tone. Others have noted that while the study aids are helpful, they can occasionally overwhelm the main text, making it difficult to focus on the scripture itself. Nonetheless, the ABC remains a valuable and respected translation, appreciated for its commitment to accuracy, clarity, and accessibility, and for its ability to bring the ancient words of the Bible to life for contemporary readers.