Genesis

The Creation of the World

1:1 In the beginning1 God2 created3 the heavens and the earth.4

1:2 Now5 the earth6 was without shape and empty,7 and darkness8 was over the surface of the watery deep,9 but the Spirit of God10 was moving11 over the surface12 of the water.13 1:3 God said,14 "Let there be15 light."16 And there was light! 1:4 God saw17 that the light was good,18 so God separated19 the light from the darkness. 1:5 God called20 the light "day" and the darkness21 "night." There was evening, and there was morning, marking the first day.22

1:6 God said, "Let there be an expanse23 in the midst of the waters and let it separate water24 from water. 1:7 So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it.25 It was so.26 1:8 God called the expanse "sky."27 There was evening, and there was morning, a second day.

1:9 God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place28 and let dry ground appear."29 It was so. 1:10 God called the dry ground "land"30 and the gathered waters he called "seas." God saw that it was good.

1:11 God said, "Let the land produce vegetation:31 plants yielding seeds according to their kinds,32 and33 fruit trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds." It was so. 1:12 The land produced vegetation--plants yielding seeds according to their kinds, and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. God saw that it was good. 1:13 There was evening, and there was morning, a third day.

1:14 God said, "Let there be lights34 in the expanse35 of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them be signs36 to indicate seasons and days and years, 1:15 and let them serve as lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." It was so. 1:16 God made two great lights37--the greater light to rule over the day and the lesser light to rule over the night. He made the stars also.38 1:17 God placed the lights39 in the expanse of the sky to shine on the earth, 1:18 to preside over the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness.40 God saw that it was good. 1:19 There was evening, and there was morning, a fourth day.

1:20 God said, "Let the water swarm with swarms41 of living creatures and let birds fly42 above the earth across the expanse of the sky." 1:21 God created the great sea creatures43 and every living and moving thing with which the water swarmed, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. God saw that it was good. 1:22 God blessed them44 and said, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth."45 1:23 There was evening, and there was morning, a fifth day.

1:24 God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: cattle, creeping things, and wild animals, each according to its kind."46 It was so. 1:25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the cattle according to their kinds, and all the creatures that creep along the ground according to their kinds. God saw that it was good.

1:26 Then God said, "Let us make47 mankind48 in our image, after our likeness,49 so they may rule50 over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the cattle, and over all the earth,51 and over all the creatures that move52 on the earth."

1:28 God blessed56 them and said57 to them, "Be fruitful and multiply! Fill the earth and subdue it!58 Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that moves on the ground.59 1:29 Then God said, "I now60 give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the entire earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.61 1:30 And to all the animals of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to all the creatures that move on the ground--everything that has the breath of life in it--I give62 every green plant for food. It was so.

1:31 God saw all that he had made--and it was very good!63 There was evening, and there was morning, the sixth day.

2:1 The heavens and the earth1 were completed with everything that was in them.2 2:2 By3 the seventh day God finished the work that he had been doing,4 and he ceased5 on the seventh day all the work that he had been doing. 2:3 God blessed the seventh day and made it holy6 because on it he ceased all the work that he7 had been doing in creation.8

The Creation of Man and Woman

2:4 This is the account9 of the heavens and the earth10 when they were created--when the LORD God11 made the earth and heavens.12

2:5 Now13 no shrub of the field had yet grown on the earth, and no plant of the field14 had yet sprouted, for the LORD God had not caused it to rain on the earth, and there was no man to cultivate the ground.15 2:6 Springs16 would well up17 from the earth and water18 the whole surface of the ground.19 2:7 The LORD God formed20 the man from the soil of the ground21 and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life,22 and the man became a living being.23

2:8 The LORD God planted an orchard24 in the east,25 in Eden;26 and there he placed the man he had formed.27 2:9 The LORD God made all kinds of trees grow from the soil,28 every tree that was pleasing to look at29 and good for food. (Now30 the tree of life31 and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil32 were in the middle of the orchard.)

2:10 Now33 a river flows34 from Eden35 to water the orchard, and from there it divides36 into four headstreams.37 2:11 The name of the first is Pishon; it runs through38 the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold. 2:12 (The gold of that land is pure;39 pearls40 and lapis lazuli41 are also there). 2:13 The name of the second river is Gihon; it runs through42 the entire land of Cush.43 2:14 The name of the third river is Tigris; it runs along the east side of Assyria.44 The fourth river is the Euphrates.

2:15 The LORD God took the man and placed45 him in the orchard in46 Eden to care for and maintain it.47 2:16 Then the LORD God commanded48 the man, "You may freely eat49 fruit50 from every tree of the orchard, 2:17 but51 you must not eat52 from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when53 you eat from it you will surely die."54

2:18 The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone.55 I will make a companion56 for him who corresponds to him."57 2:19 The LORD God formed58 out of the ground every living animal of the field and every bird of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would59 name them, and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. 2:20 So the man named all the animals, the birds of the air, and the living creatures of the field, but for Adam60 no companion who corresponded to him was found.61 2:21 So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep;62 and while he was asleep,63 he took part of the man's side64 and closed up the place with flesh.65 2:22 Then the LORD God made66 a woman from the part he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. 2:23 Then the man said,

2:24 That is why71 a man leaves72 his father and mother and unites with73 his wife, and they become a new family.74 2:25 The man and his wife were both naked,75 but they were not ashamed.76

The Temptation and the Fall

3:1 Now1 the serpent2 was more shrewd3 than any of the wild animals4 that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Is it really true that5 God6 said, `You must not eat from any tree of the orchard'?"7 3:2 The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat8 of the fruit from the trees of the orchard; 3:3 but concerning the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the orchard God said, `You must not eat from it, and you must not touch it,9 or else you will die.'"10 3:4 The serpent said to the woman, "Surely you will not die,11 3:5 for God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will open12 and you will be like divine beings who know13 good and evil."14

3:6 When15 the woman saw that the tree produced fruit that was good for food,16 was attractive17 to the eye, and was desirable for making one wise,18 she took some of its fruit and ate it.19 She also gave some of it to her husband who was with her, and he ate it.20 3:7 Then the eyes of both of them opened, and they knew they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

The Judgment Oracles of God at the Fall

3:8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God moving about21 in the orchard at the breezy time22 of the day, and they hid23 from the LORD God among the trees of the orchard. 3:9 But the LORD God called to24 the man and said to him, "Where are you?"25 3:10 The man replied,26 "I heard you moving about27 in the orchard, and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid." 3:11 And the LORD God28 said, "Who told you that you were naked?29 Did you eat from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?"30 3:12 The man said, "The woman whom you gave me, she gave31 me some fruit32 from the tree and I ate it." 3:13 So the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this33 you have done?" And the woman replied, "The serpent34 tricked35 me, and I ate."

3:20 The man59 named his wife Eve,60 because61 she was the mother of all the living.62 3:21 The LORD God made garments from skin63 for Adam and his wife, and clothed them. 3:22 And the LORD God said, "Now64 that the man has become like one of us,65 knowing66 good and evil, he must not be allowed67 to stretch out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever." 3:23 So the LORD God expelled him68 from the orchard in Eden to cultivate the ground from which he had been taken. 3:24 When he drove69 the man out, he placed on the eastern side70 of the orchard in Eden sentries71 who used the flame of a whirling sword72 to guard the way to the tree of life.

The Story of Cain and Abel

4:1Now1 the man had marital relations with2 his wife Eve, and she became pregnant3 and gave birth to Cain. Then she said, "I have created4 a man just as the LORD did!" 5 4:2 Then she gave birth6 to his brother Abel.7 Abel took care of the flocks, while Cain cultivated the ground.8

4:3 At the designated time9 Cain brought some of the fruit of the ground for an offering10 to the LORD. 4:4 But Abel brought11 some of the firstborn of his flock--even the fattest12 of them. And the LORD was pleased with13 Abel and his offering, 4:5 but with Cain and his offering he was not pleased.14 So Cain became very angry,15 and his expression was downcast.16

4:6 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry, and why is your expression downcast? 4:7 Is it not true17 that if you do what is right, you will be fine?18 But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching19 at the door. It desires to dominate you, but you must suppress it."20

4:8 Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the field.""21 While they were in the field, Cain attacked22 his brother23 Abel and killed him.

4:9 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?"24 And he replied, "I don't know! Am I my brother's guardian?"25 4:10 But the LORD said, "What have you done?26 The voice27 of your brother's blood is crying out to me from the ground! 4:11 So now, you are banished28 from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. 4:12 When you try to cultivate29 the ground it will no longer yield30 its best31 for you. You will be a homeless wanderer32 on the earth." 4:13 Then Cain said to the LORD, "My punishment33 is too great to endure!"34 4:14 Look! You are driving me off the land35 today and I must hide from your presence.36 I will be a homeless wanderer on the earth; whoever finds me will kill me." 4:15 But the LORD said to him, "All right then,37 if anyone kills Cain, Cain will be avenged seven times as much."38 Then the LORD put a special mark39 on Cain so that no one who found him would strike him down.40 4:16 So Cain went out from the presence of the LORD and lived in the land of Nod,41 east of Eden.

The Beginning of Civilization

4:17 Cain had marital relations42 with his wife, and she became pregnant43 and gave birth to Enoch. Cain was building a city, and he named the city after44 his son Enoch. 4:18 To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad was the father45 of Mehujael. Mehujael was the father of Methushael, and Methushael was the father of Lamech.

4:19 Lamech took two wives for himself; the name of the first was Adah and the name of the second was Zillah. 4:20 Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the first46 of those who live in tents and keep47 livestock. 4:21 The name of his brother was Jubal; he was the first of all who play the harp and the flute. 4:22 Now Zillah also gave birth to Tubal-Cain, who heated metal and shaped48 all kinds of tools made of bronze and iron. The sister of Tubal-Cain was Naamah.

4:23 Lamech said to his wives,

4:25 And Adam had marital relations51 with his wife again, and she gave birth to a son. She named him Seth, saying, "God has given52 me another child53 in place of Abel, because Cain killed him." 4:26 And a son was also born to Seth, whom he named Enosh. At that time people54 began to worship55 the LORD.

From Adam to Noah

5:1 This is the record1 of the family line2 of Adam.

When God created mankind,3 he made them4 in the likeness of God. 5:2 He created them male and female; when they were created, he blessed them and named them "mankind."5

5:3 When6 Adam had lived one hundred and thirty years he fathered a son in his own likeness, according to his image, and he named him Seth. 5:4 The lifetime7 of Adam, after he became the father of Seth, was eight hundred years; during this time he had8 other9 sons and daughters. 5:5 The entire lifetime10 of Adam was nine hundred and thirty years, and then he died.11

5:6 When Seth had lived one hundred and five years, he became the father12 of Enosh. 5:7 Seth lived eight hundred and seven years after he became the father of Enosh, and he had13 other14 sons and daughters. 5:8 The entire lifetime of Seth was nine hundred and twelve years, and then he died.

5:9 When Enosh had lived ninety years, he became the father of Kenan. 5:10 Enosh lived eight hundred and fifteen years after he became the father of Kenan, and he had other sons and daughters. 5:11 The entire lifetime of Enosh was nine hundred and five years, and then he died.

5:12 When Kenan had lived seventy years, he became the father of Mahalalel. 5:13 Kenan lived eight hundred and forty years after he became the father of Mahalalel, and he had other sons and daughters. 5:14 The entire lifetime of Kenan was nine hundred and ten years, and then he died.

5:15 When Mahalalel had lived sixty-five years, he became the father of Jared. 5:16 Mahalalel lived eight hundred and thirty years after he became the father of Jared, and he had other sons and daughters. 5:17 The entire lifetime of Mahalalel was eight hundred and ninety-five years, and then he died.

5:18 When Jared had lived one hundred and sixty-two years, he became the father of Enoch. 5:19 Jared lived eight hundred years after he became the father of Enoch, and he had other sons and daughters. 5:20 The entire lifetime of Jared was nine hundred and sixty-two years, and then he died.

5:21 When Enoch had lived sixty-five years, he became the father of Methuselah. 5:22 After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God15 for three hundred years,16 and he had other17 sons and daughters. 5:23 The entire lifetime of Enoch was three hundred and sixty-five years. 5:24 Enoch walked with God; and then he disappeared,18 because God took19 him away.

5:25 When Methuselah had lived one hundred and eighty-seven years, he became the father of Lamech. 5:26 Methuselah lived seven hundred and eighty-two years after he became the father of Lamech, and he had other20 sons and daughters. 5:27 The entire lifetime of Methuselah was nine hundred and sixty-nine years, and then he died.

5:28 When Lamech had lived one hundred and eighty-two years, he had a son. 5:29 He named him Noah,21 saying, "This one will bring us comfort22 from our labor and from the painful toil of our hands, because of the ground that the LORD has cursed." 5:30 Lamech lived five hundred and ninety-five years after he became the father of Noah, and he had other23 sons and daughters. 5:31 The entire lifetime of Lamech was seven hundred and seventy-seven years, and then he died.

5:32 After Noah was five hundred years old, he24 became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

God's Grief over the Wickedness of Mankind

6:1 When mankind1 began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born2 to them,3 6:2 the sons of God4 saw that the daughters of mankind were beautiful. Thus they took wives for themselves from any they chose. 6:3 So the LORD said, "My spirit will not remain in5 mankind indefinitely,6 since7 they8 are mortal.9 They10 will remain for one hundred and twenty more years."11

6:4 The Nephilim12 were on the earth in those days (and also after this),13 when the sons of God were having sexual relations with14 the daughters of mankind, who gave birth to their children.15 They were the mighty heroes16 of old, the famous men.17

6:5 But the LORD saw18 that the wickedness of mankind had become great on the earth. Every inclination19 of the thoughts20 of their minds21 was only evil22 all the time.23 6:6 The LORD regretted24 that he had made mankind on the earth, and he felt highly offended.25 6:7 So the LORD said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth--everything from mankind to animals,26 including creatures that move on the ground and birds of the air, for I regret that I have made them."

6:8 But27 Noah found favor28 in the sight of29 the LORD.

The Judgment of the Flood

6:9 This is the account of Noah.30

Noah was a godly man; he was blameless31 among his contemporaries.32 He33 walked with34 God. 6:10 Noah had35 three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth.

6:11 The earth was ruined36 in the sight of37 God; the earth was filled with violence.38 6:12 God saw the earth, and indeed39 it was ruined,40 for all living creatures41 on the earth were sinful.42 6:13 So God said43 to Noah, "I have decided that all living creatures must die,44 for the earth is filled with violence because of them. Now I am about to destroy45 them and the earth. 6:14 Make46 for yourself an ark of cypress47 wood. Make rooms in the ark, and cover48 it with pitch inside and out. 6:15 This is how you should make it: the ark is to be four hundred fifty feet long, seventy-five feet wide, and forty-five feet high.49 6:16 Make a roof for the ark and finish it, leaving eighteen inches50 from the top.51 Put a door in the side of the ark, and make lower, middle and upper decks. 6:17 I am about to bring52 floodwaters53 on the earth to destroy54 from under the sky all the living creatures that have the breath of life in them.55 Everything that is on the earth will die, 6:18 but I will confirm56 my covenant with you. You will enter57 the ark--you, your sons, your wife, and your sons' wives with you. 6:19 You must bring into the ark two of every kind of living creature from all flesh,58 male and female, to keep them alive59 with you. 6:20 Of the birds after their kinds, and of the cattle after their kinds, and of every creeping thing of the ground after their kinds, two of every kind will come to you so you can keep them alive.60 6:21 And you must take61 for yourself every kind of food62 that is eaten,63 and gather it together.64 It will be food for you and for them.

6:22 And Noah did all65 that God commanded him--he did indeed.66

7:1 The LORD said to Noah, "Come into the ark, you and all your household, for I consider you godly among this generation.1 7:2 You must take with you seven2 of every kind of clean animal,3 the male and its mate,4 two of every kind of unclean animal, the male and its mate, 7:3 and also seven5 of every kind of bird in the sky, male and female,6 to preserve their offspring7 on the face of the earth. 7:4 For in seven days8 I will cause it to rain9 on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will wipe from the face of the ground every living thing that I have made.

7:5 And Noah did all10 that the LORD commanded him.

7:6 Noah11 was six hundred years old when the floodwaters engulfed12 the earth. 7:7 Noah entered the ark along with his sons, his wife, and his sons' wives, because13 of the floodwaters. 7:8 Pairs14 of clean animals, of unclean animals, of birds, and of everything that creeps along the ground, 7:9 male and female, came into the ark to Noah,15 just as God had commanded Noah. 7:10 And after seven days the floodwaters engulfed the earth.16

7:11 In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month--on that day all the fountains of the great deep17 burst open and the floodgates of the heavens18 were opened. 7:12 And the rain fell19 on the earth forty days and forty nights.

7:13 On that very day Noah entered the ark, accompanied by his sons Shem, Ham and Japheth, along with his wife and his sons' three wives.20 7:14 They entered,21 along with every living creature after its kind, every animal after its kind, every creeping thing that creeps on the earth after its kind, and every bird after its kind, everything with wings.22 7:15 Pairs23 of all creatures24 that have the breath of life came into the ark to Noah. 7:16 Those that entered were male and female,25 just as God commanded him. Then the LORD shut him in.

7:17 The flood engulfed the earth for forty days. As the waters increased, they lifted the ark and raised it above the earth. 7:18 The waters completely overwhelmed26 the earth and the ark floated27 on the surface of the waters. 7:19 The waters completely inundated28 the earth, so that even29 all the high mountains under the entire sky were covered. 7:20 The waters rose more than twenty feet30 above the mountains.31 7:21 And all living things32 that moved on the earth died, including the birds, domestic animals, wild animals, all the creatures that swarm over the earth, and all mankind. 7:22 Everything on dry land that had the breath of life33 in its nostrils died. 7:23 So the LORD34 destroyed35 every living thing that was on the surface of the ground, including people, animals, creatures that creep along the ground and birds of the sky.36 They were wiped off the earth. Only Noah and those who were with him in the ark survived.37 7:24 The waters prevailed over38 the earth for one hundred and fifty days.

8:1 But God remembered1 Noah and all the wild animals and domestic animals that were with him in the ark. God caused a wind to blow over2 the earth and the waters receded. 8:2 The fountains of the deep and the floodgates of heaven were closed,3 and the rain stopped falling from the sky. 8:3 The waters kept receding steadily4 from the earth, so that they5 had gone down6 by the end of the hundred and fifty days. 8:4 On the seventeenth day of the seventh month, the ark came to rest on one of the mountains of Ararat.7 8:5 The waters kept on receding8 until the tenth month. On the first day of the tenth month, the tops of the mountains became visible.9

8:6 At the end of forty days,10 Noah opened the window he had made in the ark,11 8:7 and sent out a raven; it kept flying12 back and forth until the waters had dried up on the earth.

8:8 Then Noah13 sent out a dove14 to see if the waters had receded15 from the surface of the ground. 8:9 The dove could not find a resting place for its feet, because water still covered16 the surface of the entire earth, and so it returned to Noah17 in the ark. He stretched out his hand, took the dove,18 and brought it back into the ark.19 8:10 He waited seven more days and then sent out the dove again from the ark. 8:11 When20 the dove returned to him in the evening, there was21 a freshly plucked olive leaf in its beak! Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth. 8:12 He waited another seven days and sent the dove out again,22 but it did not return to him this time.23

8:13 In Noah's six hundred and first year,24 in the first day of the first month, the waters had dried up from the earth, and Noah removed the covering from the ark and saw that25 the surface of the ground was dry. 8:14 And by the twenty-seventh day of the second month the earth26 was dry.

8:15 Then God spoke to Noah and said, 8:16 "Come out of the ark, you, your wife, your sons, and your sons' wives with you. 8:17 Bring out with you all the living creatures that are with you. Bring out27 every living thing, including the birds, animals and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. Let them increase28 and be fruitful and multiply on the earth!"29

8:18 Noah went out along with his sons, his wife, and his sons' wives. 8:19 Every living creature, every creeping thing, every bird, and everything that moves on the earth went out of the ark in their groups.

8:20 Noah built an altar to the LORD. He then took some of every kind of clean animal and clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar.30 8:21 And the LORD smelled the soothing aroma31 and said32 to himself,33 "I will never again curse34 the ground because of mankind, even though35 the inclination of their minds36 is evil from childhood on.37 I will never again destroy everything that lives, as I have just done.

God's Covenant with Mankind through Noah

9:1 Then God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. 9:2 Every living creature of the earth and every bird of the sky will be terrified of you.1 Everything that creeps on the ground and all the fish of the sea are under your authority.2 9:3 You may eat any moving thing that lives.3 As I gave you4 the green plants, I now give5 you everything.

9:4 But6 you must not eat meat7 with its life (that is,8 its blood) in it.9 9:5 For your lifeblood10 I will surely exact punishment,11 from12 every living creature I will exact punishment. From each person13 I will exact punishment for the life of the individual,14 since the man was his relative.15

9:7 But as for you,20 be fruitful and multiply; increase abundantly on the earth and multiply on it."

9:8 God said to Noah and his sons,21 9:9 "Look! I now confirm22 my covenant with you and your descendants after you23 9:10 and with every living creature that is with you, including the birds, the domestic animals, and every living creature of the earth with you, all those that came out of the ark with you--every living creature of the earth.24 9:11 I confirm25 my covenant with you: Never again will all living things26 be wiped out27 by the waters of a flood;28 never again will a flood destroy the earth."

9:12 And God said, "This is the guarantee29 of the covenant I am making30 with you31 and every living creature with you, a covenant32 for all subsequent33 generations: 9:13 I will place34 my rainbow35 in the clouds, and it will become36 a guarantee of the covenant between me and the earth. 9:14 Whenever37 I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, 9:15 then I will remember my covenant with you38 and with all living creatures of all kinds.39 Never again will the waters become a flood and destroy40 all living things.41 9:16 When the rainbow is in the clouds, I will notice it and remember42 the perpetual covenant between God and all living creatures of all kinds that are on the earth."

9:17 So God said to Noah, "This is the guarantee of the covenant that I am confirming between me and all living things43 that are on the earth."

The Curse of Canaan

9:18 The sons of Noah who came out of the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. (Now Ham was the father of Canaan.)44 9:19 These were the sons of Noah, and from them the whole earth was populated.45

9:20 Noah, a man of the soil,46 began to plant a vineyard.47 9:21 When he drank some of the wine, he got drunk and uncovered himself48 inside his tent. 9:22 Ham, the father of Canaan,49 saw his father's nakedness50 and told his two brothers who were outside. 9:23 Shem and Japheth took the garment51 and placed it on their shoulders. Then they walked in backwards and covered up their father's nakedness. Their faces were turned52 the other way so they did not see their father's nakedness.

9:24 When Noah awoke from his drunken stupor53 he learned54 what his youngest son had done55 to him. 9:25 So he said,

9:26 He also said,

9:28 After the flood Noah lived three hundred and fifty years. 9:29 The entire lifetime of Noah was nine hundred and fifty years, and then he died.

The Table of Nations

10:1This is the account1 of Noah's sons Shem, Ham and Japheth. Sons2 were born3 to them after the flood.

10:2 The sons of Japheth4 were Gomer,5 Magog,6 Madai,7 Javan,8 Tubal,9 Meshech,10 and Tiras.11 10:3 The sons of Gomer were12 Askenaz,13 Riphath,14 and Togarmah.15 10:4 The sons of Javan were Elishah,16 Tarshish,17 the Kittim,18 and the Dodanim.19 10:5 From these the coastlands of the nations were separated into their lands, every one according to its language, according to their families, by their nations.

10:6 The sons of Ham were Cush,20 Mizraim,21 Put,22 and Canaan.23 10:7 The sons of Cush were Seba,24 Havilah,25 Sabtah,26 Raamah,27 and Sabteca.28 The sons of Raamah were Sheba29 and Dedan.30

10:8 Cush was the father of31 Nimrod; he began to be a valiant warrior on the earth. 10:9 He was a mighty hunter32 before the LORD.33 That is why it is said, "Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the LORD." 10:10 The primary regions34 of his kingdom were Babel,35 Erech,36 Akkad,37 and Calneh38 in the land of Shinar.39 10:11 From that land he went40 to Assyria,41 where he built Nineveh,42 Rehoboth-Ir,43 Calah,44 10:12 and Resen, which is between Nineveh and the great city Calah.45

10:13 Mizraim46 was the father of47 the Ludites,48 Anamites,49 Lehabites,50 Naphtuhites,51 10:14 Pathrusites,52 Casluhites53 (from whom the Philistines came),54 and Caphtorites.55

10:15 Canaan was the father of56 Sidon his firstborn,57 Heth,58 10:16 the Jebusites,59 Amorites,60 Girgashites,61 10:17 Hivites,62 Arkites,63 Sinites,64 10:18 Arvadites,65 Zemarites,66 and Hamathites.67 Eventually the families of the Canaanites were scattered 10:19 and the borders of Canaan extended68 from Sidon all the way to69 Gerar as far as Gaza, and all the way to70 Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, as far as Lasha. 10:20 These are the sons of Ham, according to their families, according to their languages, by their lands, and by their nations.

10:21 And sons were also born71 to Shem (whose older brother was Japheth), the father of all the sons of Eber.

10:22 The sons of Shem were Elam,72 Asshur,73 Arphaxad,74 Lud,75 and Aram.76 10:23 The sons of Aram were Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash.77 10:24 Arphaxad was the father of78 Shelah,79 and Shelah was the father of Eber.80 10:25 Two sons were born to Eber: one was named Peleg, because in his days the earth was divided,81 and his brother's name was Joktan. 10:26 Joktan was the father of82 Almodad,83 Sheleph,84 Hazarmaveth,85 Jerah,86 10:27 Hadoram, Uzal,87 Diklah,88 10:28 Obal,89 Abimael,90 Sheba,91 10:29 Ophir,92 Havilah,93 and Jobab. All these were sons of Joktan. 10:30 Their dwelling place was from Mesha all the way to94 Sephar in the eastern hills. 10:31 These are the sons of Shem according to their families, according to their languages, by their lands, and according to their nations.

10:32 These are the families of the sons of Noah, according to their genealogies, by their nations; and from these the nations spread95 over the earth after the flood.

The Dispersion of the Nations at Babel

11:1 The whole earth1 had a common language and a common vocabulary.2 11:2 When the people3 moved eastward,4 they found a plain in Shinar5 and settled there. 11:3 Then they said to one another,6 "Come, let's make bricks and bake them thoroughly."7 (They had brick instead of stone and tar8 instead of mortar.)9 11:4 Then they said, "Come, let's build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens10 so that11 we may make a name for ourselves. Otherwise12 we will be scattered13 across the face of the entire earth."

11:5 But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the people14 had started15 building. 11:6 And the LORD said, "If as one people all sharing a common language16 they have begun to do this, then17 nothing they plan to do will be beyond them.18 11:7 Come, let's go down and confuse19 their language so they won't be able to understand each other."20

11:8 So the LORD scattered them from there across the face of the entire earth, and they stopped building21 the city. 11:9 That is why its name was called22 Babel23--because there the LORD confused the language of the entire world, and from there the LORD scattered them across the face of the entire earth.

The Genealogy of Shem

11:10 This is the account of Shem.

Shem was one hundred years old when he became the father of Arphaxad, two years after the flood. 11:11 And after becoming the father of Arphaxad, Shem lived five hundred years and had other24 sons and daughters.

11:12 When Arphaxad had lived thirty-five years, he became the father of Shelah. 11:13 And after he became the father of Shelah, Arphaxad lived four hundred and three years and had other25 sons and daughters.26

11:14 When Shelah had lived thirty years, he became the father of Eber. 11:15 And after he became the father of Eber, Shelah lived four hundred and three years and had other27 sons and daughters.

11:16 When Eber had lived thirty-four years, he became the father of Peleg. 11:17 And after he became the father of Peleg, Eber lived four hundred and thirty years and had other sons and daughters.

11:18 When Peleg had lived thirty years, he became the father of Reu. 11:19 And after he became the father of Reu, Peleg lived two hundred and nine years and had other sons and daughters.

11:20 When Reu had lived thirty-two years, he became the father of Serug. 11:21 And after he became the father of Serug, Reu lived two hundred and seven years and had other sons and daughters.

11:22 When Serug had lived thirty years, he became the father of Nahor. 11:23 And after he became the father of Nahor, Serug lived two hundred years and had other sons and daughters.

11:24 When Nahor had lived twenty-nine years, he became the father of Terah. 11:25 And after he became the father of Terah, Nahor lived one hundred and nineteen years and had other sons and daughters.

11:26 When Terah had lived seventy years, he became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran.

The Record of Terah

11:27 This is the account of Terah.

Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran. And Haran became the father of Lot. 11:28 Haran died in the land of his birth, in Ur of the Chaldeans,28 while his father Terah was still alive.29 11:29 And Abram and Nahor took wives for themselves. The name of Abram's wife was Sarai,30 and the name of Nahor's wife was Milcah;31 she was the daughter of Haran, the father of both Milcah and Iscah. 11:30 But Sarai was barren; she had no children.

11:31 Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot (the son of Haran), and his daughter-in-law Sarai, his son Abram's wife, and with them he set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan. When they came to Haran, they settled there. 11:32 The lifetime32 of Terah was two hundred and five years; and he33 died in Haran.

The Obedience of Abram

12:4 So Abram left,12 just as the LORD had told him to do,13 and Lot went with him. (Now14 Abram was seventy-five years old15 when he departed from Haran.) 12:5 And Abram took his wife Sarai, his nephew16 Lot, and all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired17 in Haran, and they left for18 the land of Canaan. They entered the land of Canaan.

12:6 Abram passed through the land as far as the oak tree19 of Moreh20 at Shechem.21 (At that time the Canaanites were in the land.)22 12:7 The LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your descendants23 I will give this land." So Abram24 built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him.

12:8 Then he moved from there to the hill country east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the LORD and worshiped the LORD.25 12:9 Abram continually journeyed by stages26 down to the Negev.27

The Promised Blessing Jeopardized

12:10 There was a famine in the land, so Abram went down to Egypt28 to stay for a while29 because the famine was severe.30 12:11 As he approached31 Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, "Look,32 I know that you are a beautiful woman.33 12:12 When the Egyptians see you they will say, `This is his wife.' Then they will kill me but will keep you alive.34 12:13 So tell them35 you are my sister,36 so that it may go well37 for me because of you and my life will be spared38 on account of you."

12:14 When Abram entered Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. 12:15 When Pharaoh's officials saw her, they praised her to Pharaoh. So Abram's wife39 was taken40 into the household of Pharaoh,41 12:16 and he did treat Abram well42 on account of her. Abram received43 sheep and cattle, male donkeys, male servants, female servants, female donkeys, and camels.

12:17 But the LORD struck Pharaoh and his household with severe diseases44 because of Sarai, Abram's wife. 12:18 So Pharaoh summoned Abram and said, "What is this45 you have done to me? Why didn't you tell me that she was your wife? 12:19 Why did you say, `She is my sister,' so that I took her46 to be my wife?47 Here is your wife!48 Take her and go!"49 12:20 Pharaoh gave his men orders about Abram,50 and so they expelled him, along with his wife and all his possessions.

Abram's Solution to the Strife

13:1So Abram went up from Egypt into the Negev.1 He took his wife and all his possessions with him, as well as Lot.2 13:2 (Now Abram was very wealthy3 in livestock, silver, and gold.)4

13:3 And he journeyed from place to place5 from the Negev as far as Bethel. He returned6 to the place where he had pitched his tent7 in the beginning, between Bethel and Ai. 13:4 This was the place where he had first built the altar;8 and there Abram worshiped the LORD.9

13:5 Now Lot, who was traveling10 with Abram, also had11 flocks, herds, and tents. 13:6 But the land could12 not support them while they were living side by side.13 Because their possessions were so great, they were not able to live14 side by side. 13:7 So there were quarrels15 between Abram's herdsmen and Lot's herdsmen.16 (Now the Canaanites and the Perizzites were living in the land at that time.)17

13:8 Abram said to Lot, "Let there be no quarreling between me and you, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are close relatives.18 13:9 Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself now from me. If you go19 to the left, then I'll go to the right; but if you go to the right, then I'll go to the left."

13:10 Lot looked up and saw20 the whole region21 of the Jordan. He noticed22 that all of it was well-watered (before the LORD obliterated23 Sodom and Gomorrah)24 like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt,25 all the way to Zoar. 13:11 Lot chose for himself the whole region of the Jordan and traveled26 toward the east.

So the relatives separated from each other.27 13:12 Abram settled in the land of Canaan, but Lot settled among the cities of the Jordan region28 and pitched his tents next to Sodom. 13:13 (Now29 the people30 of Sodom were extremely wicked rebels against the LORD.)31

13:14 After Lot had departed, the LORD said to Abram,32 "Look33 from the place where you stand to the north, south, east, and west. 13:15 I will give all the land that you see to you and your descendants34 forever. 13:16 And I will make your descendants like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone is able to count the dust of the earth, then your descendants also can be counted.35 13:17 Get up, walk throughout36 the land,37 for I will give it to you."

13:18 So Abram moved his tents and went to live38 by the oaks39 of Mamre in Hebron, and he built an altar to the LORD there.

The Blessing of Victory for God's People

14:1 At that time1 Amraphel king of Shinar,2 Arioch king of Ellasar, Kedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations3 14:2 went to war4 against Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).5 14:3 All these joined forces together6 in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea).7 14:4 For twelve years8 they had served Kedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year9 they rebelled.10 14:5 In the fourteenth year, Kedorlaomer and the kings who were his allies came and defeated11 the Rephaites in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzites in Ham, the Emites in Shaveh Kiriathaim, 14:6 and the Horites in their hill country of Seir, as far as El Paran, which is near the desert.12 14:7 Then they came again13 against14 En Mishpat (that is, Kadesh), and they conquered all the territory of the Amalekites, as well as the Amorites who were living in Hazazon Tamar.

14:8 Then the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) went out and prepared for battle. In the Valley of Siddim they met15 14:9 Kedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of nations,16 Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar. Four kings fought against17 five. 14:10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits.18 When the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, they fell into them;19 but some survivors20 fled to the hills.21 14:11 The four victorious kings22 took all the possessions and food of Sodom and Gomorrah and left. 14:12 They also took Abram's nephew23 Lot and his possessions when24 they left, for Lot25 was living in Sodom.26

14:13 A fugitive27 came and told Abram the Hebrew.28 Now Abram was living by the oaks29 of Mamre the Amorite, the brother30 of Eshcol and Aner. (All these were allied by treaty31 with Abram.)32 14:14 When Abram heard that his nephew33 had been taken captive, he mobilized34 his 318 trained men who had been born in his household, and he pursued the invaders35 as far as Dan.36 14:15 Then, during the night,37 Abram38 divided his forces39 against them and defeated them. He chased them as far as Hobah, which is north40 of Damascus. 14:16 He retrieved all the stolen property.41 He also brought back his nephew Lot and his possessions, as well as the women and the rest of42 the people.

14:17 After Abram43 returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet Abram44 in the Valley of Shaveh (known as the King's Valley.)45 14:18 Melchizedek, king of Salem,46 brought out bread and wine. (Now he was the priest of the Most High God.)47 14:19 He blessed Abram, saying,

Abram gave Melchizedek53 a tenth of everything.

14:21 Then the king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the people and take the possessions for yourself." 14:22 But Abram replied to the king of Sodom, "I raise my hand54 to the LORD, the Most High God, Creator of heaven and earth, and vow55 14:23 that I will take nothing56 belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal. That way you can never say, `It is I57 who made Abram rich.' 14:24 I will take nothing58 except compensation for what the young men have eaten.59 As for the share of the men who went with me--Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre--let them take their share."

The Cutting of the Covenant

15:1After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Fear not, Abram! I am your shield1 and the one who will reward you in great abundance."2

15:2 But Abram said, "O Sovereign LORD,3 what will you give me since4 I continue to be5 childless, and my heir6 is7 Eliezer of Damascus?"8 15:3 Abram added,9 "Since10 you have not given me a descendant, then look, one born in my house will be my heir!"11

15:4 But look,12 the word of the LORD came to him: "This man13 will not be your heir,14 but instead15 a son16 who comes from your own body will be17 your heir."18 15:5 He took him outside and said, "Gaze into the sky and count the stars--if you are able to count them!" Then he said to him, "So will your descendants be."

15:6 Abram believed19 the LORD, and the LORD20 considered his response of faith21 worthy of a reward.22

15:7 The LORD said23 to him, "I am the LORD24 who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans25 to give you this land to possess." 15:8 But26 Abram27 said, "O Sovereign LORD,28 by what29 can I know that I am to possess it?"

15:9 The LORD30 said to him, "Take for me a heifer, a goat, and a ram, each three years old, along with a dove and a young pigeon." 15:10 So Abram31 took all these for him, and then cut them in two32 and placed each half opposite the other;33 but he did not cut the birds in half. 15:11 When birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.

15:12 When the sun went down, Abram fell sound asleep.34 Then great terror overwhelmed him.35 15:13 Then the LORD said to Abram, "Know for certain36 that your descendants will be strangers37 in a foreign country.38 They will be enslaved and oppressed39 for four hundred years. 15:14 But I will execute judgment on the nation that they will serve.40 Afterward they will come out with many possessions. 15:15 But as for you,41 you will go to your ancestors42 in peace and be buried at a good old age.43 15:16 In the fourth generation44 your descendants45 will return here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its limit."46

15:17 When the sun had gone down and it was dark, a smoking firepot with a flaming torch47 passed between the animal parts.48 15:18 That day the LORD made a covenant49 with Abram: "To your descendants I give50 this land, from the river of Egypt51 to the great river, the Euphrates River-- 15:19 the land52 of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, 15:20 Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, 15:21 Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites, and Jebusites."53

The Birth of Ishmael

16:1 Now Sarai,1 Abram's wife, had not given birth to any children,2 but she had an Egyptian servant3 named Hagar.4 16:2 So Sarai said to Abram, "Since5 the LORD has prevented me from having children, have sexual relations with6 my servant. Perhaps I can have a family by her."7 Abram did what8 Sarai told him.

16:3 So after Abram had lived9 in Canaan for ten years, Sarai, Abram's wife, gave Hagar, her Egyptian servant,10 to her husband to be his wife.11 16:4 He had sexual relations with12 Hagar, and she became pregnant.13 Once Hagar realized she was pregnant, she despised Sarai.14 16:5 Then Sarai said to Abram, "You have brought this wrong on me!15 I allowed my servant to have sexual relations with you16 but when she realized17 that she was pregnant, she despised me.18 May the LORD judge between you and me!"19

16:6 Abram said to Sarai, "Since your20 servant is under your authority,21 do to her whatever you think best."22 Then Sarai treated Hagar23 harshly,24 so she ran away from Sarai.25

16:7 The LORD's angel26 found Hagar near a spring of water in the desert--the spring that is along the road to Shur.27 16:8 He said, "Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?" She replied, "I'm running away from28 my mistress Sarai."

16:9 Then the LORD's angel said to her, "Return to your mistress and submit29 to her authority. 16:10 I will greatly multiply your descendants," the LORD's angel added,30 "so that they will be too numerous to count."31 16:11 Then the LORD's angel said to her,

16:13 So Hagar named the LORD who spoke to her, "You are the God who sees me,"40 for she said, "Here I have seen one who sees me!"41 16:14 That is why the well was called42 Beer Lahai Roi.43 (It is located44 between Kadesh and Bered.)

16:15 So Hagar gave birth to Abram's son, whom Abram named Ishmael.45 16:16 (Now46 Abram was eighty-six years old47 when Hagar gave birth to Ishmael.)48

The Sign of the Covenant

17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old,1 the LORD appeared to him and said,2 "I am the Sovereign God.3 Walk4 before me5 and be blameless.6 17:2 Then I will confirm my covenant7 between me and you, and I will give you a multitude of descendants."8

17:3 Abram bowed down with his face to the ground,9 and God spoke to him, saying, 17:4 "As for me,10 this11 is my covenant with you: You will be the father of a multitude of nations. 17:5 No longer will your name be12 Abram. Instead, your name will be Abraham,13 because I will make you14 the father of a multitude of nations. 17:6 I will make you15 extremely16 fruitful. I will make nations of you, and kings will descend from you.17 17:7 I will confirm18 my covenant as a perpetual19 covenant between me and you. It will extend to your descendants after you throughout their generations. I will be your God and the God of your descendants after you.20 17:8 I will give the whole land of Canaan--the land where you are residing21--to you and your descendants after you as a permanent22 possession. I will be their God."

17:9 Then God said to Abraham, "As for you, you must keep23 the covenantal requirement24 I am imposing on you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. 17:10 This is my requirement that you and your descendants after you must keep:25 Every male among you must be circumcised.26 17:11 You must circumcise the flesh of your foreskins. This will be a reminder27 of the covenant between me and you. 17:12 Throughout your generations every male among you who is eight days old28 must be circumcised, whether born in your house or bought with money from any foreigner, who is not one of your descendants. 17:13 They must indeed be circumcised,29 whether born in your house or bought with money. The sign of my covenant30 will be visible in your flesh as a permanent31 reminder. 17:14 Any uncircumcised male32 who has not been circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin will be cut off33 from his people--he has failed to carry out my requirement."34

17:15 Then God said to Abraham, "As for your wife, you must no longer call her Sarai;35 Sarah36 will be her name. 17:16 I will bless her and will give you a son through her. I will bless her and she will become a mother of nations.37 Kings of countries38 will come from her!"

17:17 Then Abraham bowed down with his face to the ground and laughed39 as he said to himself,40 "Can41 a son be born to a man who is a hundred years old?42 Can Sarah43 bear a child at the age of ninety?"44 17:18 Abraham said to God, "O that45 Ishmael might live before you!"46

17:19 God said, "No, Sarah your wife is going to bear you a son and you will name him Isaac.47 I will confirm my covenant with him as a perpetual48 covenant for his descendants after him. 17:20 As for Ishmael, I have heard you.49 I will indeed bless him, make him fruitful, and give him a multitude of descendants.50 He will become the father of twelve princes;51 I will make him into a great nation. 17:21 But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this set time next year." 17:22 When he finished speaking with Abraham, God went up from him.52

17:23 Abraham took his son Ishmael and every male in his household (whether born in his house or bought with money)53 and circumcised them54 on that very same day, just as God had told him to do. 17:24 Now Abraham was ninety-nine years old55 when he was circumcised;56 17:25 his son Ishmael was thirteen years old57 when he was circumcised. 17:26 Abraham and his son Ishmael were circumcised on the very same day. 17:27 All the men of his household, whether born in his household or bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him.

Three Special Visitors

18:1 The LORD appeared to Abraham1 by the oaks2 of Mamre while3 he was sitting at the entrance4 to his tent during the hottest time of the day. 18:2 Abraham5 looked up6 and saw7 three men standing across8 from him. When he saw them9 he ran from the entrance of the tent to meet them and bowed low10 to the ground.11

18:3 He said, "My lord,12 if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by and leave your servant.13 18:4 Let a little water be brought so that14 you may all15 wash your feet and rest under the tree. 18:5 And let me get16 a bit of food17 so that you may refresh yourselves,18 since you have passed by your servant's home. After that you may be on your way."19 "All right," they replied, "you may do as you say."

18:6 So Abraham hurried into the tent and said to Sarah, "Quick! Take20 three measures21 of fine flour, knead it, and make bread."22 18:7 Then Abraham ran to the herd and chose a fine, tender calf, and gave it to a servant,23 who quickly prepared it.24 18:8 Abraham25 then took some curds and milk, along with the calf that had been prepared, and placed the food26 before them. They ate while27 he was standing near them under a tree.

18:9 Then they asked him, "Where is Sarah your wife?" He replied, "There,28 in the tent." 18:10 One of them29 said, "I will surely return30 to you when the season comes round again,31 and your wife Sarah will have a son!"32 (Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, not far behind him.33 18:11 Abraham and Sarah were old and advancing in years;34 Sarah had long since passed menopause.)35 18:12 So Sarah laughed to herself, thinking,36 "After I am worn out will I have pleasure,37 especially when my husband is old too?"38

18:13 The LORD said to Abraham, "Why39 did Sarah laugh and say, `Will I really40 have a child when I am old?' 18:14 Is anything impossible41 for the LORD? I will return to you when the season comes round again and Sarah will have a son."42 18:15 Then Sarah lied, saying, "I did not laugh," because she was afraid. But the LORD said, "No! You did laugh."43

Abraham Pleads for Sodom

18:16 When the men got up to leave,44 they looked out over45 Sodom. (Now46 Abraham was walking with them to see them on their way.)47 18:17 Then the LORD said, "Should I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?48 18:18 After all, Abraham49 will surely become50 a great and powerful nation, and all the nations on the earth will pronounce blessings on one another51 using his name. 18:19 I have chosen him,52 so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep53 the way of the LORD by doing54 what is right and just. Then the LORD will give55 to Abraham what he promised56 him."

18:20 So the LORD said, "The outcry against57 Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so blatant58 18:21 that I must go down59 and see if they are as wicked as the outcry suggests.60 If not,61 I want to know."

18:22 The two men turned62 and headed63 toward Sodom, but Abraham was still standing before the LORD.64 18:23 Abraham approached and said, "Will you sweep away the godly along with the wicked? 18:24 What if there are fifty godly people in the city? Will you really wipe it out and not spare65 the place for the sake of the fifty godly people who are in it? 18:25 Far be it from you to do such a thing--to kill the godly with the wicked, treating the godly and the wicked alike! Far be it from you! Will not the judge66 of the whole earth do what is right?"67

18:26 So the LORD replied, "If I find in the city of Sodom fifty godly people, I will spare the whole place for their sake."

18:27 Then Abraham asked, "Since I have undertaken to speak to the Lord68 (although I am but dust and ashes),69 18:28 what if there are five less than the fifty godly people? Will you destroy70 the whole city because five are lacking?71 He replied, "I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there."

18:29 Abraham72 spoke to him again,73 "What if forty are found there?" He replied, "I will not do it for the sake of the forty."

18:30 Then Abraham74 said, "May the Lord not be angry75 so that I may speak!76 What if thirty are found there?" He replied, "I will not do it if I find thirty there."

18:31 Abraham77 said, "Since I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, what if only twenty are found there?" He replied, "I will not destroy it for the sake of the twenty."

18:32 Finally Abraham78 said, "May the Lord not be angry so that I may speak just once more. What if ten are found there?" He replied, "I will not destroy it for the sake of the ten."

18:33 The LORD went on his way79 when he had finished speaking80 to Abraham. Then Abraham returned home.81

The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah

19:1 The two angels came to Sodom in the evening, while1 Lot was sitting in the city's gateway.2 When Lot saw them, he got up to meet them, and bowed down with his face toward the ground.

19:2 He said, "Here, my lords, please turn aside to your servant's house. Stay the night3 and wash your feet. Then you can be on your way early in the morning."4 "No," they replied, "we'll spend the night in the town square."5

19:3 But he urged6 them persistently, so they turned aside with him and entered his house. He prepared a feast for them, including bread baked without yeast, and they ate. 19:4 Before they could lie down to sleep,7 all the men--both young and old, from every part of the city of Sodom--surrounded the house.8 19:5 They shouted to Lot,9 "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so we can have sex10 with them!"

19:6 Lot went outside to them, shutting the door behind him. 19:7 He said, "No, my brothers! Don't act so wickedly!11 19:8 Look, I have two daughters who have never had sexual relations with12 a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do to them whatever you please.13 Only don't do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection14 of my roof."15

19:9 "Out of our way!16 they cried, and "This man came to live here as a foreigner,17 and now he dares to judge us!18 We'll do more harm19 to you than to them!" They kept20 pressing in on Lot until they were close enough21 to break down the door.

19:10 So the men inside22 reached out23 and pulled Lot back into the house24 as they shut the door. 19:11 Then they struck the men who were at the door of the house, from the youngest to the oldest,25 with blindness. The men outside26 wore themselves out trying to find the door. 19:12 Then the two visitors27 said to Lot, "Who else do you have here?28 Do you have29 any sons-in-law, sons, daughters, or other relatives in the city?30 Get them out of this31 place, 19:13 because we are about to destroy32 it. The outcry against this place33 is so great before the LORD that he34 has sent us to destroy it.

19:14 Then Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law who were going to marry his daughters.35 He said, "Quick, get out of this place, because the LORD is about to destroy36 the city!" But his sons-in-law thought he was ridiculing them.37

19:15 At dawn38 the angels hurried Lot along, saying, "Get going! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here,39 or else you will be destroyed when the city is judged!"40 19:16 When Lot41 hesitated, the men grabbed his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters because the LORD had compassion on them.42 They led them away and placed them43 outside the city. 19:17 When they had brought them outside, they44 said, "Run45 for your lives! Don't look46 behind you or stop anywhere in the valley!47 Escape to the mountains or you will be destroyed!"

19:18 But Lot said to them, "No, please, Lord!48 19:19 Your49 servant has found favor with you,50 and you have shown me great51 kindness52 by sparing53 my life. But I am not able to escape to the mountains, because54 this disaster will overtake55 me and I'll die.56 19:20 Look, this town57 over here is close enough to escape to, and it's just a little one.58 Let me go there.59 It's just a little place, isn't it?60 Then I'll survive."61

19:21 "Very well," he replied,62 "I will grant this request too63 and will not overthrow64 the town you mentioned. 19:22 Run there quickly,65 for I cannot do anything until you arrive there." (This incident explains why the town was called Zoar.)66

19:23 The sun had just risen67 over the land as Lot reached Zoar.68 19:24 Then the LORD rained down69 sulfur and fire70 on Sodom and Gomorrah. It was sent down from the sky by the LORD.71 19:25 So he overthrew those cities and all that region,72 including all the inhabitants of the cities and the vegetation that grew73 from the ground. 19:26 But Lot's74 wife looked back longingly75 and was turned into a pillar of salt.

19:27 Abraham got up early in the morning and went76 to the place where he had stood before the LORD. 19:28 He looked out toward77 Sodom and Gomorrah and all the land of that region.78 As he did so, he saw the smoke rising up from the land like smoke from a furnace.79

19:29 So when God destroyed80 the cities of the region,81 God heeded82 Abraham's request. He removed Lot83 from the midst of the destruction when he destroyed84 the cities Lot had lived in.

19:30 Lot went up from Zoar with his two daughters and settled in the mountains because he was afraid to live in Zoar. So he lived in a cave with his two daughters. 19:31 Later the older daughter said85 to the younger, "Our father is old, and there is no man anywhere nearby86 to have sexual relations with us,87 according to the way of all the world. 19:32 Come, let's make our father drunk with wine88 so we can have sexual relations89 with him and preserve90 our family line through our father."91

19:33 So that night they made their father drunk with wine92 and the older daughter93 came and had sexual relations with her father.94 But he was not aware that she had sexual relations with him and then got up.95 19:34 Then in the morning the older daughter96 said to the younger, "Since I had sexual relations with my father last night, let's make him drunk again tonight.97 Then you go and have sexual relations with him so we can preserve our family line through our father."98 19:35 So they made their father drunk99 that night as well and the younger came and had sexual relations with him.100 But he was not aware that she had sexual relations with him and then got up.101

19:36 In this way both of Lot's daughters became pregnant by their father. 19:37 The older daughter102 gave birth to a son and named him Moab.103 He is the ancestor of the Moabites of today. 19:38 The younger daughter also gave birth to a son and named him Ben-Ammi.104 He is the ancestor of the Ammonites of today.

Abraham and Abimelech

20:1 Abraham journeyed from there to the Negev1 region and settled between Kadesh and Shur. While he lived as a temporary resident2 in Gerar, 20:2 Abraham said about his wife Sarah, "She is my sister." So Abimelech king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her.

20:3 But God appeared3 to Abimelech in a dream at night and said to him, "You are about to die4 because of the woman you have taken, for she is someone else's wife."5

20:4 Now Abimelech had not gone near her. He said, "Lord,6 would you really slaughter an innocent nation?7 20:5 Did Abraham8 not say to me, `She is my sister'? And she herself said,9 `He is my brother.' I have done this with a clear conscience10 and with innocent hands!"

20:6 Then in the dream God replied to him, "Yes, I know that you have done this with a clear conscience.11 That is why I have kept you12 from sinning against me and why13 I did not allow you to touch her. 20:7 But now give back the man's wife. Indeed14 he is a prophet15 and he will pray for you; thus you will live.16 But if you don't give her back,17 know that you will surely die18 along with all that belong to you."

20:8 Early in the morning19 Abimelech summoned20 all his servants. When he told them about all these things,21 they22 were terrified. 20:9 Abimelech summoned Abraham and said to him, "What have you done to us? What sin did I commit against you that would cause you to bring such great guilt on me and my kingdom?23 You have done things to me that should not be done!"24 20:10 Then Abimelech asked25 Abraham, "What prompted you to do this thing?"26

20:11 Abraham replied, "Because I thought,27 `Surely no one fears God in this place. They will kill me because of28 my wife.' 20:12 What's more,29 she is indeed my sister, my father's daughter, but not my mother's daughter. She became my wife. 20:13 When God made me wander30 from my father's house, I told her, `This is what you can do to show your loyalty to me:31 Every place we go, say about me, "He is my brother."'"

20:14 Then Abimelech gave32 sheep, cattle, and male and female servants to Abraham. He also gave his wife Sarah back to him. 20:15 Then Abimelech said, "Look, my land is before you; live wherever you please."33

20:16 To Sarah he said, "Look, I have given a thousand pieces of silver34 to your `brother'.35 This is compensation for you so that you will stand vindicated before all who are with you.36

20:17 Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, as well as his wife and female slaves so that they were able to have children. For the LORD37 had caused infertility to strike every woman38 in the household of Abimelech, because he took39 Sarah, Abraham's wife.

The Birth of Isaac

21:1 The LORD visited1 Sarah just as he had said he would, and did2 for Sarah what he had promised.3 21:2 So Sarah became pregnant4 and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the appointed time that God had told him. 21:3 Abraham named his son--whom Sarah bore to him--Isaac.5 21:4 When his son Isaac was eight days old,6 Abraham circumcised him just as God had commanded him to do.7 21:5 (Now Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.)8

21:6 Sarah said, "God has made me laugh.9 Everyone who hears about this10 will laugh11 with me." 21:7 She went on to say,12 "Who would13 have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have given birth to a son for him in his old age!"

21:8 The child grew and was weaned. Abraham prepared14 a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned.15 21:9 But Sarah noticed16 the son of Hagar the Egyptian--the son whom Hagar had borne to Abraham--mocking.17 21:10 So she said to Abraham, "Get rid of18 that slave woman and her son, for the son of that slave woman will not be an heir along with my son Isaac!"

21:11 Sarah's demand displeased Abraham greatly because Ishmael was his son.19 21:12 But God said to Abraham, "Do not be upset20 about the boy or your slave wife. Do21 all that Sarah is telling22 you, because through Isaac your descendants will be counted.23 21:13 But I will also make the son of the slave wife into a great nation, for he is your descendant too."

21:14 Early in the morning Abraham took24 some food25 and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. He put them on her shoulders, gave her the child,26 and sent her away. So she went wandering27 aimlessly through the wilderness28 of Beersheba. 21:15 When the water in the skin was gone, she dumped29 the child under one of the shrubs. 21:16 Then she went and sat down by herself across from him at quite a distance, about a bowshot30 away; for she thought,31 "I refuse to watch the child die."32 So she sat across from him and wept uncontrollably.33

21:17 But God heard the boy's voice.34 The angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and asked her, "What is the matter,35 Hagar? Don't be afraid, for God has heard36 the boy's voice right where he is crying. 21:18 Get up! Help the boy up and hold him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation." 21:19 Then God enabled Hagar to see a well of water.37 She went over and filled the skin with water, and then gave the boy a drink.

21:20 God was with the boy as he grew. He lived in the wilderness and became an archer. 21:21 He lived in the wilderness of Paran.38 His mother found a wife for him from the land of Egypt.39

21:22 At that time Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, said to Abraham, "God is with you40 in all that you do. 21:23 Now swear to me right here in God's name41 that you will not deceive me, my children, or my descendants.42 Show me, and the land43 where you are staying,44 the same loyalty45 that I have shown you."46

21:24 Abraham said, "I swear to do this."47 21:25 But Abraham lodged a complaint48 against Abimelech concerning a well49 that Abimelech's servants had seized.50 21:26 "I do not know who has done this thing," Abimelech replied. "Moreover,51 you did not tell me. I did not hear about it until today."

21:27 Abraham took some sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelech. The two of them made a treaty.52 21:28 Then Abraham set seven ewe lambs apart from the flock by themselves. 21:29 Abimelech asked Abraham, "What is the meaning of these53 seven ewe lambs that you have set apart?" 21:30 He replied, "You must take these seven ewe lambs from my hand as legal proof54 that I dug this well.55 21:31 That is why he named that place56 Beersheba,57 because the two of them swore58 an oath there.

21:32 So they made a treaty59 at Beersheba. Then Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, returned60 to the land of the Philistines.61 21:33 Abraham62 planted a tamarisk tree63 in Beersheba. There he worshiped the LORD,64 the eternal God. 21:34 So Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines for quite some time.65

The Sacrifice of Isaac

22:1Some time after these things God tested1 Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!""Here I am!" Abraham2 replied. 22:2 God3 said, "Take your son--your only son, whom you love, Isaac4--and go to the land of Moriah!5 Offer him up there as a burnt offering6 on one of the mountains which I will indicate to7 you."

22:3 Early in the morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey.8 He took two of his young servants with him, along with his son Isaac. When he had cut the wood for the burnt offering, he started out9 for the place God had spoken to him about.

22:4 On the third day Abraham caught sight of10 the place in the distance. 22:5 So he11 said to his servants, "You two stay12 here with the donkey, while13 the boy and I go up there. We will worship14 and then return to you."15

22:6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and put it on his son Isaac. Then he took the fire and the knife in his hand16 and the two of them walked on together. 22:7 Isaac said to his father Abraham,17 "My father?" "What is it,18 my son?" he replied. "Here is the fire and the wood," Isaac said,19 "but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" 22:8 "God will provide20 for himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son," Abraham replied. The two of them continued on together.

22:9 When they came to the place God had told him about, Abraham built the altar there21 and arranged the wood on it. Next he tied up22 his son Isaac and placed him on the altar on top of the wood. 22:10 Then Abraham reached out his hand, took the knife, and prepared to slaughter23 his son. 22:11 But the LORD's angel24 called to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!" "Here I am!" he answered. 22:12 "Do not harm the boy!"25 the angel said.26 "Do not do anything to him, for now I know27 that you fear28 God, because you did not withhold your son, your only son, from me."

22:13 Abraham looked up29 and saw30 behind him31 a ram caught in the bushes by its horns. So he32 went over and got the ram and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. 22:14 And Abraham called the name of that place "The LORD provides."33 It is said to this day,34 "In the mountain of the LORD provision will be made."35

22:15 The LORD's angel called to Abraham a second time from heaven 22:16 and said, "`I solemnly swear by my own name,'36 decrees the LORD,37 `that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 22:17 I will indeed bless you,38 and I will greatly multiply39 your descendants40 so that they will be as countless as the stars in the sky or the grains of sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession41 of the strongholds42 of their enemies. 22:18 Because you have obeyed me,43 all the nations of the earth will pronounce blessings on one another44 using the name of your descendants.'"

22:19 Then Abraham returned to his servants and they set out together45 for Beersheba, where Abraham stayed.46

22:20 After these things Abraham was told, "Milcah47 also has borne children to your brother Nahor-- 22:21 Uz the firstborn, his brother Buz, Kemuel (the father of Aram),48 22:22 Kesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel." 22:23 (Now49 Bethuel became the father of Rebekah.) These were the eight sons Milcah bore to Abraham's brother Nahor. 22:24 His concubine, whose name was Reumah, also bore him children--Tebah, Gaham, Tahash, and Maacah.

The Death of Sarah

23:1 Sarah lived one hundred and twenty-seven years.1 23:2 Then she2 died in Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. Abraham went to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her.3

23:3 Then Abraham got up from mourning his dead wife4 and said to the sons of Heth,5 23:4 "I am a temporary settler6 among you. Grant7 me ownership8 of a burial site among you so that I may9 bury my dead."10

23:5 The sons of Heth answered Abraham,11 23:6 "Listen, sir,12 you are a mighty prince13 among us! You may bury your dead in the choicest of our tombs. None of us will refuse you his tomb, to prevent you14 from burying your dead."

23:7 Abraham got up and bowed down to the local people,15 the sons of Heth. 23:8 Then he said to them, "If you agree16 that I may bury my dead,17 then hear me out.18 Ask19 Ephron the son of Zohar 23:9 if he will sell20 me the cave of Machpelah that belongs to him; it is at the end of his field. Let him sell it to me publicly21 for the full price,22 for me to own as a burial site."

23:10 (Now Ephron was sitting among the sons of Heth.) Ephron the Hethite23 replied to Abraham in the hearing24 of the sons of Heth--before all who entered the gate25 of his city-- 23:11 "No, my lord! Hear me out. I sell26 you both the field and the cave that is in it.27 In the presence of my people28 I sell it to you. Bury your dead."

23:12 Abraham bowed before the local people 23:13 and said to Ephron in their hearing, "Hear me, if you will. I pay29 to you the price30 of the field. Take it from me, so that I may31 bury my dead there."

23:14 Ephron answered Abraham, saying to him, 23:15 "Hear me my lord. The land is worth32 four hundred pieces of silver,33 but what is that between me and you? So bury your dead."

23:16 So Abraham agreed to Ephron's price34 and weighed35 out for him36 the price37 that Ephron had quoted38 in the hearing of the sons of Heth--four hundred pieces of silver, according to the standard measurement at the time.39

23:17 So Abraham secured40 Ephron's field in Machpelah, next to Mamre, including the field, the cave that was in it, and all the trees that were in the field and all around its border, 23:18 as his property in the presence of the sons of Heth, before all who entered the gate of Ephron's city.41

23:19 After this, Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave in the field of Machpelah next to Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. 23:20 So Abraham secured the field and the cave that was in it as a burial site42 from the sons of Heth.

The Wife for Isaac

24:1Now Abraham was old, well advanced in years,1 and the LORD had blessed him2in everything. 24:2 Abraham said to his servant, the senior one3 in his household, who was in charge of everything he had, "Put you hand under my thigh,4 24:3 so that I may make you solemnly promise5 by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of the earth: You must not acquire6 a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I am living. 24:4 You must go instead to my country and to my relatives7 to find8 a wife for my son Isaac."

24:5 The servant asked him, "What if the woman is not willing to come back with me9 to this land? Must I then10 take your son back to the land from which you came?"

24:6 "Be careful11 never to take my son back there!" Abraham told him.12 24:7 "The LORD, the God of heaven, who took me from my father's house and the land of my relatives,13 promised me with a solemn oath,14 `To your descendants I will give this land.' He will send his angel15 before you so that you may find16 a wife for my son from there. 24:8 But if the woman is not willing to come back with you,17 you will be free18 from this oath of mine. But you must not take my son back there!" 24:9 So the servant placed his hand under the thigh of his master Abraham and gave his solemn promise he would carry out his wishes.19

24:10 Then the servant took ten of his master's camels and departed, with all kinds of gifts from his master at his disposal.20 He journeyed21 to the region of Aram Naharaim22 and the city of Nahor. 24:11 He made the camels kneel down by the well23 outside the city. It was evening,24 the time when the women would go out to draw water. 24:12 He prayed, "O LORD, God of my master Abraham, guide me today.25 Be faithful26 to my master Abraham. 24:13 Here I am, standing by the spring,27 and the daughters of the people28 who live in the town are coming out to draw water. 24:14 I will say to a young woman, `Please lower your jar so I may drink.' May the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac reply, `Drink, and I'll give your camels water too.'29 In this way I will know that you have been faithful to my master."30

24:15 Before he had finished praying, there came Rebekah31 with her water jug on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah (Milcah was the wife of Abraham's brother Nahor).32 24:16 Now the young woman was very beautiful. She was a virgin; no man had ever had sexual relations with her.33 She went down to the spring, filled her jug, and came back up. 24:17 Abraham's servant34 ran to meet her and said, "Please give me a sip of water from your jug." 24:18 "Drink, my lord," she replied, and quickly lowering35 her jug to her hands, she gave him a drink. 24:19 When she had done so,36 she said, "I'll draw water for your camels too, until they have drunk as much as they want." 24:20 She quickly emptied37 her jug into the watering trough and ran back to the well to draw more water, until she had drawn enough for all his camels. 24:21 Silently the man watched her with interest to determine38 if the LORD had made his journey successful39 or not.

24:22 After the camels had finished drinking, the man took out a gold nose ring weighing a beka40 and two gold bracelets weighing ten shekels,41 and gave them to her.42 24:23 "Whose daughter are you?" he asked.43 "Tell me, is there room in your father's house for us to spend the night?"

24:24 She said to him, "I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom Milcah bore to Nahor.44 24:25 "We have plenty of straw and feed," she added,45 "and room for you46 to spend the night."

24:26 The man bowed his head and worshiped the LORD, 24:27 saying "Praised be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his faithful love47 for my master! The LORD has led me48 to the house49 of my master's relatives!"50

24:28 The young woman ran and told her mother's household all about51 these things. 24:29 (Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban.)52 Laban rushed out to meet the man at the spring. 24:30 When he saw the bracelets on his sister's wrists and the nose ring,53 and heard his sister Rebekah say,54 "This is what the man said to me," he went out to meet the man. There he was, standing55 by the camels near the spring. 24:31 Laban said to him,56 "Come, you who are blessed by the LORD!57 Why are you standing out here when I have prepared58 the house and a place for the camels?"

24:32 So Abraham's servant59 went to the house and unloaded60 the camels. Straw and feed were given61 to the camels, and water was provided so that he and the men who were with him could wash their feet.62 24:33 When food was served,63 he said, "I will not eat until I have said what I want to say."64 "Tell us," Laban said.65

24:34 "I am the servant of Abraham," he began. 24:35 "The LORD has richly blessed my master and he has become very wealthy.66 The LORD67 has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys. 24:36 My master's wife Sarah bore a son to him68when she was old,69 and my master70 has given him everything he owns. 24:37 My master made me swear an oath; he said, `You must not acquire a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I am living, 24:38 but you must go to the family of my father and to my relatives to find71 a wife for my son.' 24:39 But I said to my master, `What if the woman does not want to go72 with me?'73 24:40 He answered, `The LORD, before whom I have walked,74 will send his angel with you. He will make your journey a success and you will find a wife for my son from among my relatives, from my father's family. 24:41 You will be free from your oath75 if you go to my relatives and they will not give her to you. Then you will be free from your oath.' 24:42 When I came to the spring today, I prayed, `O LORD, God of my master Abraham, if you have decided to make my journey successful,76 may events unfold as follows:77 24:43 Here I am, standing by the spring.78 When79 the young woman goes out to draw water, I'll say, "Give me a little water to drink from your jug." 24:44 Then she will reply to me, "Drink, and I'll draw water for your camels too." May that woman be the one whom the LORD has chosen for my master's son.'

24:45 Before I finished praying in my heart,80 along came Rebekah81 with her water jug on her shoulder! She went down to the spring and drew water. So I said to her, `Please give me a drink.' 24:46 She quickly lowered her jug from her shoulder and said , `Drink, and I'll give your camels water too.' So I drank, and she also gave the camels water. 24:47 Then I asked her, `Whose daughter are you?' She replied, `The daughter of Bethuel the son of Nahor, whom Milcah bore to Nahor.'82 I put the ring in her nose and the bracelets on her wrists. 24:48 Then I bowed down and worshiped the LORD. I praised the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me on the right path to find the granddaughter83 of my master's brother for his son. 24:49 Now, if you will show faithful love to my master, tell me. But if not, tell me as well, so that I may go on my way."84

24:50 Then Laban and Bethuel replied, "This is the LORD's doing.85 Our wishes are of no concern.86 24:51 Rebekah stands here before you. Take her and go, so that she may become87 the wife of your master's son, just as the LORD has decided.88

24:52 When Abraham's servant heard their words, he bowed down to the ground before the LORD. 24:53 Then he89 brought out gold and silver jewelry and clothing and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave valuable gifts to her brother and to her mother. 24:54 After this, he and the men who were with him ate a meal and stayed there overnight.90

When they got up in the morning, he said, "Let me leave now so I can return to my master."91 24:55 But Rebekah's92 brother and her mother replied, "Let the girl stay with us a few more days, perhaps ten. Then she can go." 24:56 But he said to them, "Don't detain me, since93 the LORD has granted me success on my journey. Let me leave now so I may return94 to my master." 24:57 Then they said, "We'll call the girl and find out what she wants to do."95 24:58 So they called Rebekah and asked her, "Do you want96 to go with this man?" She replied, "I want to go."

24:59 So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, accompanied by her female attendant, with Abraham's servant and his men. 24:60 They blessed Rebekah with these words:97

24:61 Then Rebekah and her female servants mounted the camels and rode away with100 the man. So Abraham's servant101 took Rebekah and left.

24:62 Now102 Isaac came from103 Beer Lahai Roi,104 for105 he was living in the Negev.106 24:63 He107 went out to relax108 in the field in the early evening.109 Then he looked up110 and saw that111 there were camels coming. 24:64 Rebekah looked up112 and saw Isaac. She got down from her camel 24:65 and asked113 Abraham's servant,114 "Who is that man walking in the field towards us?" "That is my master," the servant replied.115 So she took her veil and covered herself.

24:66 The servant told Isaac everything that had happened. 24:67 Then Isaac brought Rebekah116 into his mother Sarah's tent. He took her117 as his wife and loved her.118 So Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.119

The Death of Abraham

25:1 Abraham had taken1 another2 wife, named Keturah. 25:2 She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. 25:3 Jokshan became the father of Sheba and Dedan.3 The descendants of Dedan were the Asshurites, Letushites, and Leummites. 25:4 The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were descendants4 of Keturah.

25:5 Everything he owned Abraham left to his son Isaac. 25:6 But while he was still alive, Abraham gave gifts to the sons of his concubines5 and sent them off to the east, away from his son Isaac.6

25:7 Abraham lived a total of7 one hundred and seventy-five years. 25:8 Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man who had lived a full life.8 He joined his ancestors.9 25:9 His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah10 near Mamre, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar, the Hethite. 25:10 This was the field Abraham had purchased from the sons of Heth.11 There Abraham was buried with his wife Sarah. 25:11 After Abraham's death, God blessed12 his son Isaac. Isaac lived near Beer Lahai Roi.13

The Sons of Ishmael

25:12 This is the account of Abraham's son Ishmael,14 whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's servant, bore to Abraham.

25:13 These are the names of Ishmael's sons, by their names according to their records:15 Nebaioth (Ishmael's firstborn), Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, 25:14 Mishma, Dumah, Massa, 25:15 Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. 25:16 These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names by their settlements and their camps--twelve princes16 according to their clans.

25:17 Ishmael lived a total of17 one hundred and thirty-seven years. He breathed his last and died; then he joined his ancestors.18 25:18 His descendants19 settled from Havilah to Shur, which runs next20 to Egypt all the way21 to Asshur.22 They settled23 away from all their relatives.24

Jacob and Esau

25:19 This is the account of Isaac,25 the son of Abraham.

Abraham became the father of Isaac. 25:20 When Isaac was forty years old, he married Rebekah,26 the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan Aram and sister of Laban the Aramean.27

25:21 Isaac prayed to28 the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. The LORD answered his prayer and his wife Rebekah became pregnant. 25:22 But the children struggled29 inside her, and she said, "If it is going to be like this, I'm not so sure I want to be pregnant!"30 So she asked the LORD31 25:23 and the LORD said to her,

25:24 When the time came for Rebekah to give birth,33 there were34 twins in her womb. 25:25 The first came out reddish35 all over,36 like a hairy37 garment, so they named him Esau.38 25:26 When his brother came out with39 his hand clutching Esau's heel, they named him Jacob.40 Isaac was sixty years old41 when they were born.

25:27 When the boys grew up, Esau became a skilled42 hunter, a man of the open fields, but Jacob was an even-tempered man, living in tents.43 25:28 Isaac loved Esau, because he had a taste for fresh game,44 but Rebekah loved45 Jacob.

25:29 Now Jacob cooked some stew,46 and when Esau came in from the open fields, he was famished. 25:30 So Esau said to Jacob, "Feed47 me some of the red stuff--yes, this red stuff--because I'm starving!" (That is why he was also called48 Edom.)49

25:31 But Jacob replied, "First50 sell me your birthright." 25:32 "Look," said Esau, "I'm about to die! What use is the birthright to me?"51 25:33 But Jacob said, "Swear an oath to me now."52 So Esau53 swore an oath to him and sold his birthright54 to Jacob.

25:34 Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew; Esau ate and drank, then got up and went out.55 So Esau despised his birthright.56

Isaac and Abimelech

26:1 There was a famine in the land, subsequent to the earlier famine that occurred1 in the days of Abraham.2 Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines at Gerar. 26:2 The LORD appeared to Isaac and said, "Do not go down to Egypt;3 settle down in the land that I will point out you.4 26:3 Stay5 in this land. Then I will be with you and will bless you,6 for I will give all these lands to you and to your descendants,7 and I will fulfill8 the solemn promise I made9 to your father Abraham. 26:4 I will multiply your descendants so they will be as numerous as the stars in the sky, and I will give them10 all these lands. All the nations of the earth will pronounce blessings on one another using the name of your descendants.11 26:5 All this will come to pass12 because Abraham obeyed me13 and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws."14 26:6 So Isaac settled in Gerar.

26:7 When the men of that place asked him about his wife, he replied, "She is my sister."15 He was afraid to say, "She is my wife," for he thought to himself,16 "The men of this place will kill me to get17 Rebekah, because she is very beautiful."

26:8 After Isaac18 had been there a long time,19 Abimelech king of the Philistines happened to look out a window and observed20 Isaac caressing21 his wife Rebekah. 26:9 So Abimelech summoned Isaac and said, "She is really22 your wife! Why did you say, `She is my sister'?" Isaac replied, "Because I thought someone might kill me to get her."23

26:10 Then Abimelech exclaimed, "What in the world have you done to us?24 One of the men25 might easily have had sexual relations with26 your wife, and you would have brought guilt on us!" 26:11 So Abimelech commanded all the people, "Whoever touches27 this man or his wife will surely be put to death."28

26:12 When Isaac planted in that land, he reaped in the same year a hundred times what he had sown,29 because the LORD blessed him.30 26:13 The man became wealthy.31 His influence continued to grow32 until he became very prominent. 26:14 He had33 so many sheep34 and cattle35 and such a great household of servants that the Philistines became jealous36 of him. 26:15 So the Philistines took dirt and filled up37 all the wells that his fathers' servants had dug back in the days of his father Abraham.

26:16 Then Abimelech said to Isaac, "Leave us and go elsewhere,38 for you have become much more powerful39 than we are." 26:17 So Isaac left there and settled in the Gerar Valley.40 26:18 Isaac reopened41 the wells that had been dug42 back in the days of his father Abraham, for the Philistines had stopped them up43 after Abraham died. Isaac44 gave them the same names his father had given them.45

26:19 When Isaac's servants dug in the valley and discovered a well with fresh flowing46 water there, 26:20 the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled47 with Isaac's herdsmen, saying, "The water belongs to us!" So Isaac48 named the well49 Esek,50 because they argued with him about it.51 26:21 They dug another well, but they quarreled over it too, so Isaac named it52 Sitnah.53 26:22 Then he moved away from there and dug another well. They did not quarrel over it; so Isaac54 named it55 Rehoboth,56 saying, "For now the LORD has made room for us, and we will prosper in the land."

26:23 From there Isaac57 went up to Beersheba. 26:24 The LORD appeared to him that night and said, "I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham." 26:25 Then Isaac built an altar there and worshiped58 the LORD. He pitched his tent there and his servants dug a well.59

26:26 Now Abimelech had come60 to him from Gerar, along with61 Ahuzzah his friend62 and Phicol the commander of his army. 26:27 Isaac asked them, "Why have you come to me, since63 you hate me and sent me away from you?" 26:28 They replied, "We could plainly see64 that the LORD is with you. So we decided there should be65 a pact between us66--between us67 and you. Allow us to make68 a treaty with you, 26:29 so that69 you will not do us any harm, just as we have not harmed70 you, but have always treated you well71 before sending you away72 in peace. Now you are blessed by the LORD."73

26:30 So Isaac74 held a feast for them and they celebrated.75 26:31 Early in the morning the men made a treaty with each other.76 Isaac sent them off; they separated on good terms.77

26:32 That day Isaac's servants came and told him about the well they had dug. "We've found water," they reported.78 26:33 So he named it Shibah;79 that is why the name of the city has been Beersheba80 to this day.

26:34 When81 Esau was forty years old,82 he married83 Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, as well as Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite. 26:35 They caused Isaac and Rebekah great anxiety.84

Jacob Cheats Esau out of the Blessing

27:1 When1 Isaac was old and his eyes were so weak that he was almost blind,2 he called his older3 son Esau and said to him, "My son!" "Here I am!" Esau4 replied. 27:2 Isaac5 said, "Since6 I am so old, I could die at any time.7 27:3 Therefore, take your weapons--your quiver and your bow--and go out into the open fields and hunt down some wild game8 for me. 27:4 Then prepare for me some tasty food, the kind I love, and bring it to me. Then9 I will eat it, so that I may bless you10 before I die."

27:5 Now Rebekah had been listening while Isaac spoke to his son Esau.11 When Esau went out to the open fields to hunt down some wild game and bring it back,12 27:6 Rebekah said to her son Jacob, "Look, I overheard your father tell your brother Esau, 27:7 `Bring me some wild game and prepare for me some tasty food. Then I will eat13 it and bless you14 in the presence of the LORD15 before I die.' 27:8 Now then, my son, do16 exactly what I tell you!17 27:9 Go to the flock and get me two of the best young goats. I'll prepare18 them in a tasty way for your father, just the way he loves them. 27:10 Then you will take19 it to your father. Thus he will eat it20 and21 bless you before he dies."

27:11 "But Esau my brother is a hairy man," Jacob protested to his mother Rebekah, "and I have smooth skin!22 27:12 My father may touch me! Then he'll think I'm mocking him23 and I'll bring a curse on myself instead of a blessing." 27:13 So his mother told him, "Any curse against you will fall on me,24 my son! Just obey me!25 Go and get them for me!"

27:14 So he went and got the goats26 and brought them to his mother. She27 prepared some tasty food, just the way his father loved it. 27:15 Then Rebekah took her older son Esau's best clothes, which she had with her in the house, and put them on her younger son Jacob. 27:16 She put the skins of the young goats28 on his hands29 and the smooth part of his neck. 27:17 Then she handed30 the tasty food and the bread she had made to her son Jacob.

27:18 He went to his father and said, "My father!" Isaac31 replied, "Here I am. Which are you, my son?"32 27:19 Jacob said to his father, "I am Esau, your firstborn. I've done as you told me. Now sit up33 and eat some of my wild game so that you can bless me."34 27:20 But Isaac asked his son, "How in the world35 did you find it so quickly,36 my son?" "Because the LORD your God brought it to me,"37 he replied.38 27:21 Then Isaac said to Jacob, "Come closer so I can touch you,39 my son, and know for certain if you really are my son Esau."40 27:22 So Jacob went over to his father Isaac, who felt him and said, "The voice is Jacob's, but the hands are Esau's." 27:23 He did not recognize him because his hands were hairy, like his brother Esau's hands. So Isaac blessed Jacob.41 27:24 Then he asked, "Are you really my son Esau?" "I am," Jacob42 replied. 27:25 Isaac43 said, "Bring some of the wild game for me to eat, my son.44 Then I will bless you."45 So Jacob46 brought it to him and he ate it. He also brought him wine, and Isaac47 drank. 27:26 Then his father Isaac said to him, "Come here and kiss me, my son." 27:27 So Jacob48 went over and kissed him. When Isaac caught the scent49 of his clothing, he blessed him, saying,

27:30 Isaac had just finished blessing Jacob, and Jacob had scarcely left56 his father's57 presence, when his brother Esau returned from the hunt.58 27:31 He also prepared some tasty food and brought it to his father. Esau59 said to him, "My father, get up60 and eat some of your son's wild game. Then you can bless me."61 27:32 His father Isaac asked,62 "Who are you?" "I am your firstborn son,"63 he replied, "Esau!" 27:33 Isaac began to shake violently64 and asked, "Then who else hunted game and brought it to me? I ate it all up just before you arrived and I blessed him.65 He will indeed be blessed!"

27:34 When Esau heard66 his father's words, he wailed loudly and bitterly.67 He said to his father, "Bless me too, my father!" 27:35 But Isaac68 replied, "Your brother came in here deceitfully and took away69 your blessing." 27:36 Esau exclaimed, "Jacob is the right name for him!70 He has tripped me up71 two times! He took away my birthright, and now, look, he has taken away my blessing!" Then he asked, "Have you not kept back a blessing for me?"

27:37 Isaac replied to Esau, "Look! I have made him lord over you. I have made all his relatives his servants, and provided him with grain and new wine. What is left that I can do for you, my son?" 27:38 Esau said to his father, "Do you have only that one blessing, my father? Bless me too!"72 Then Esau wept loudly.73

27:39 So his father Isaac said to him,

27:41 So Esau hated77 Jacob because of the blessing his father had given to his brother.78 Esau said privately,79 "The time80 of mourning for my father is near; then I will kill81 my brother Jacob!"

27:42 When Rebekah heard what her older son Esau had said,82 she quickly summoned83 her younger son Jacob and told him, "Look, your brother Esau is planning to get revenge by killing you.84 27:43 Now then, my son, do what I say.85 Run away immediately86 to my brother Laban in Haran. 27:44 Live with him for a little while87 until your brother's rage subsides. 27:45 Stay there88 until your brother's anger against you subsides and he forgets what you did to him. Then I'll send someone to bring you back from there.89 Why should I lose both of you in one day?"90

27:46 Then Rebekah said to Isaac, "I am deeply depressed91 because of these daughters of Heth.92 If Jacob were to marry one of these daughters of Heth who live in this land, I would want to die!"93

28:1 So Isaac called for Jacob and blessed him. Then he commanded him, "You must not marry a Canaanite woman!1 28:2 Leave immediately2 for Paddan Aram! Go to the house of Bethuel, your mother's father, and find yourself a wife there, among the daughters of Laban, your mother's brother. 28:3 May the Sovereign God3 bless you! May he make you fruitful and give you a multitude of descendants!4 Then you will become5 a large nation.6 28:4 May he give you and your descendants the blessing he gave to Abraham,7 so that you may possess the land8 God gave to Abraham, the land where you have been living as a temporary resident."9 28:5 So Isaac sent Jacob on his way, and he went to Paddan Aram, to Laban son of Bethuel the Aramean and brother of Rebekah, the mother of Jacob and Esau.

28:6 Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him off to Paddan Aram to find a wife there.10 As he blessed him,11 Isaac commanded him, "You must not marry a Canaanite woman."12 28:7 Jacob obeyed his father and mother and left for Paddan Aram. 28:8 Then Esau realized13 that the Canaanite women14 were displeasing to15 his father Isaac. 28:9 So Esau went to Ishmael and married16 Mahalath, the sister of Nebaioth and daughter of Abraham's son Ishmael, along with the wives he already had.

Jacob's Dream at Bethel

28:10 Meanwhile Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Haran. 28:11 He reached a certain place,17 where he decided to camp because the sun had gone down.18 He took one of the stones19 and placed it near his head.20 Then he fell asleep21 in that place 28:12 and had a dream.22 He saw23 a stairway24 erected on the earth with its top reaching to the heavens. The angels of God were going up and coming down it 28:13 and the LORD stood at its top. He said, "I am the LORD, the God of your grandfather Abraham and the God of your father Isaac.25 I will give you and your descendants the ground26 you are lying on. 28:14 Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth,27 and you will spread out28 to the west, east, north, and south. All the families of the earth will pronounce blessings on one another29 using your name and that of your descendants.30 28:15 I am with you!31 I will protect you wherever you go and will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I promised you!"

28:16 Then Jacob woke up32 and thought,33 "Surely the LORD is in this place, but I did not realize it!" 28:17 He was afraid and said, "What an awesome place this is! This is nothing else than the house of God! This is the gate of heaven!"

The Marriages of Jacob

29:1 So Jacob moved on1 and came to the land of the eastern people.2 29:2 He saw3 a well in the field, with4 three flocks of sheep lying beside it, because the flocks were watered from that well. Now5 a large stone covered the mouth of the well. 29:3 When all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds6 would roll the stone off the mouth of the well and water the sheep. Then they would put the stone back in its place over the well's mouth.

29:4 Jacob asked them, "My brothers, where are you from?" They replied, "We're from Haran." 29:5 So he said to them, "Do you know Laban, the grandson7 of Nahor?" "We know him,"8 they said. 29:6 "Is he well?"9 Jacob asked. They replied, "He is well.10 Now look, here comes his daughter Rachel with the sheep." 29:7 Then Jacob11 said, "Since it is still the middle of the day,12 it is not time for the flocks to be gathered. You should water the sheep and then go and let them graze some more."13 29:8 "We can't," they said, "until all the flocks are gathered and the stone is rolled off the mouth of the well. Then we water14 the sheep."

29:9 While he was still speaking with them, Rachel arrived with her father's sheep, for she was tending them.15 29:10 When Jacob saw Rachel, the daughter of his uncle Laban,16 and the sheep of his uncle Laban, he17 went over18 and rolled the stone off the mouth of the well and watered the sheep of his uncle Laban.19 29:11 Then Jacob kissed Rachel and began to weep loudly.20 29:12 When Jacob explained21 to Rachel that he was a relative of her father22 and the son of Rebekah, she ran and told her father. 29:13 When Laban heard this news about Jacob, his sister's son, he rushed out to meet him. He embraced him and kissed him and brought him to his house. Jacob23 told Laban how he was related to him.24 29:14 Then Laban said to him, "You are indeed my own flesh and blood."25 So Jacob26 stayed with him for a month.27

29:15 Then Laban said to Jacob, "Should you work28 for me for nothing because you are my relative?29 Tell me what your wages should be." 29:16 (Now Laban had two daughters;30 the older one was named Leah, and the younger one Rachel. 29:17 Leah's eyes were tender,31 but Rachel had a lovely figure and beautiful appearance.)32 29:18 Since Jacob had fallen in love with33 Rachel, he said, "I'll serve you seven years in exchange for your younger daughter Rachel." 29:19 Laban replied, "I'd rather give her to you than to another man.34 Stay with me." 29:20 So Jacob worked for seven years to acquire Rachel.35 But they seemed like only a few days to him36 because his love for her was so great.37

29:21 Finally Jacob said38 to Laban, "Give me my wife, for my time of service is up.39 I want to have marital relations with her."40 29:22 So Laban invited all the people41 of that place and prepared a feast. 29:23 In the evening he brought his daughter Leah42 to Jacob,43 and Jacob44 had marital relations with her.45 29:24 (Laban gave his female servant Zilpah to his daughter Leah to be her servant.)46

29:25 In the morning Jacob discovered it was Leah!47 So Jacob48 said to Laban, "What in the world have you done to me!49 Didn't I work for you in exchange for Rachel? Why have you tricked50 me?" 29:26 "It is not our custom here,"51 Laban replied, "to give the younger daughter in marriage52 before the firstborn. 29:27 Complete my older daughter's bridal week.53 Then we will give you the younger one54 too, in exchange for seven more years of work."55

29:28 Jacob did as Laban said.56 When Jacob57 completed Leah's bridal week,58 Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife.59 29:29 (Laban gave his female servant Bilhah to his daughter Rachel to be her servant.)60 29:30 Jacob61 had marital relations62 with Rachel as well. He loved Rachel more than Leah, so he worked for Laban63 for seven more years.64

The Family of Jacob

29:31 When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved,65 he enabled her to become pregnant,66 while Rachel remained childless. 29:32 So Leah became pregnant67 and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben,68 for she said, "The LORD has looked with pity on my oppressed condition.69 Surely my husband will love me now."

29:33 She became pregnant again and had another son. She said, "Because the LORD heard that I was unloved,70 he gave me this one too." So she named him Simeon.71

29:34 She became pregnant again and had another son. She said, "Now this time my husband will show me affection,72 because I have given birth to three sons for him." That is why he was named Levi.73

29:35 She became pregnant again and had another son. She said, "This time I will praise the LORD." That is why she named him Judah.74 Then she stopped having children.

30:1 When Rachel saw that she could not give Jacob children, she1 became jealous of her sister. She said to Jacob, "Give me children2 or I'll die!" 30:2 Jacob became furious3 with Rachel and exclaimed, "Am I in the place of God, who has kept you from having children?"4 30:3 She replied, "Here is my servant Bilhah! Have sexual relations with5 her so that she can bear6 children7 for me8 and I can have a family through her."9

30:4 So Rachel10 gave him her servant Bilhah as a wife, and Jacob had marital relations with11 her. 30:5 Bilhah became pregnant12 and gave Jacob a son.13 30:6 Then Rachel said, "God has vindicated me. He has responded to my prayer14 and given me a son." That is why15 she named him Dan.16

30:7 Bilhah, Rachel's servant, became pregnant again and gave Jacob another son.17 30:8 Then Rachel said, "I have fought a desperate struggle with my sister, but I have won."18 So she named him Naphtali.19

30:9 When Leah saw that she had stopped having children, she gave20 her servant Zilpah to Jacob as a wife. 30:10 Soon Leah's servant Zilpah gave Jacob a son.21 30:11 Leah said, "How fortunate!"22 So she named him Gad.23

30:12 Then Leah's servant Zilpah gave Jacob another son.24 30:13 Leah said, "How happy I am,25 for women26 will call me happy! So she named him Asher.27

30:14 At the time28 of the wheat harvest Reuben went out and found some mandrake plants29 in a field and brought them to his mother Leah. Rachel said to Leah, "Give me some of your son's mandrakes." 30:15 But Leah replied,30 "Wasn't it enough that you've taken away my husband? Would you take away my son's mandrakes too?" "All right,"31 Rachel said, "he may sleep32 with you tonight in exchange for your son's mandrakes." 30:16 When Jacob came in from the fields that evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, "You must sleep33 with me, because I have paid for your services34 with my son's mandrakes." So he had marital relations35 with her that night. 30:17 God paid attention36 to Leah; she became pregnant37 and gave Jacob a son for the fifth time.38 30:18 Then Leah said, "God has granted me a reward,39 because I gave my servant to my husband as a wife."40 So she named him Issachar.41

30:19 Leah became pregnant again and gave Jacob a son for the sixth time.42 30:20 Then Leah said, "God has given me a good gift. Now my husband will honor me, because I have given him six sons." So she named him Zebulun.43

30:21 After that she gave birth to a daughter and named her Dinah.

30:22 Then God took note of44 Rachel. He paid attention to her and enabled her to become pregnant.45 30:23 She became pregnant46 and gave birth to a son. Then she said, "God has taken away my shame."47 30:24 She named him Joseph,48 saying, "May the LORD give me yet another son."

The Flocks of Jacob

30:25 After Rachel had given birth49 to Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, "Send50 me on my way so that I can go51 home to my own country.52 30:26 Let me take my wives and my children whom I have acquired by working for you.53 Then I'll depart,54 because you know how hard I've worked for you.55

30:27 But Laban said to him, "If I have found favor in your sight, please stay here,56 for I have learned by divination57 that the LORD has blessed me on account of you." 30:28 He added, "Just name your wages--I'll pay whatever you want."58

30:29 "You know how I have worked for you," Jacob replied,59 "and how well your livestock have fared under my care.60 30:30 Indeed,61 you had little before I arrived,62 but now your possessions have increased many times over.63 The LORD has blessed you wherever I worked.64 But now, how long must it be before I do something for my own family too?"65

30:31 So Laban asked,66 "What should I give you?" "You don't need to give me a thing,"67 Jacob replied,68 "but if you agree to this one condition,69 I will continue to care for70 your flocks and protect them: 30:32 Let me walk among71 all your flocks today and remove from them every speckled or spotted sheep, every dark-colored lamb,72 and the spotted or speckled goats.73 These animals will be my wages.74 30:33 My integrity will testify for me75 later on.76 When you come to verify that I've taken only the wages we agreed on,77 if I have in my possession any goat that is not speckled or spotted or any sheep that is not dark-colored, it will be considered stolen."78 30:34 "Agreed!" said Laban, "It will be as you say."79

30:35 So that day Laban80 removed the male goats that were streaked or spotted, all the female goats that were speckled or spotted (all that had any white on them), and all the dark-colored lambs, and put them in the care81 of his sons. 30:36 Then he separated them from Jacob by a three-day journey,82 while83 Jacob was taking care of the rest of Laban's flocks.

30:37 But Jacob took fresh-cut branches from poplar, almond, and plane trees. He made white streaks by peeling them, making the white inner wood in the branches visible. 30:38 Then he set up the peeled branches in all the watering troughs where the flocks came to drink. He set up the branches in front of the flocks when they were in heat and came to drink.84 30:39 When the sheep mated85 in front of the branches, they86 gave birth to young that were streaked or speckled or spotted. 30:40 Jacob removed these lambs, but he made the rest of the flock face87 the streaked and completely dark-colored animals in Laban's flock. So he made separate flocks for himself and did not mix them with Laban's flocks. 30:41 When the stronger females were in heat,88 Jacob would set up the branches in the troughs in front of the flock, so they would mate near the branches. 30:42 But if the animals were weaker, he did not set the branches there.89 So the weaker animals ended up belonging to Laban90 and the stronger animals to Jacob. 30:43 In this way Jacob91 became extremely prosperous. He owned92 large flocks, male and female servants, camels, and donkeys.

Jacob's Flight from Laban

31:1 Jacob heard that Laban's sons were complaining,1 "Jacob has taken everything that belonged to our father! He has gotten rich2 at our father's expense!"3 31:2 When Jacob saw the look on Laban's face, he could tell his attitude toward him had changed.4

31:3 The LORD said to Jacob, "Return to the land of your fathers5 and to your relatives. I will be with you."6 31:4 So Jacob sent a message for Rachel and Leah7 to come to the field8 where his flocks were.9 31:5 There he said to them, "I can tell that your father's attitude toward me has changed,10 but the God of my father has been with me. 31:6 You know that I've worked for your father as hard as I could,11 31:7 but your father has humiliated12 me and changed my wages ten times. But God has not permitted him to do me any harm. 31:8 If he said,13 `The speckled animals14 will be your wage,' then the entire flock gave birth to speckled offspring. But if he said, `The streaked animals will be your wage,' then the entire flock gave birth to streaked offspring. 31:9 In this way God has snatched away your father's livestock and given them to me.

31:10 "Once15 during breeding season I saw16 in a dream that the male goats mating with17 the flock were streaked, speckled, and spotted. 31:11 In the dream the angel of God said to me, `Jacob!' `Here I am!' I replied. 31:12 Then he said, `Observe18 that all the male goats mating with19 the flock are streaked, speckled, or spotted, for I have observed all that Laban has done to you. 31:13 I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed20 the sacred stone and made a vow to me.21 Now leave this land immediately22 and return to your native land.'"

31:14 Then Rachel and Leah replied to him, "Do we still have any portion or inheritance23 in our father's house? 31:15 Hasn't he treated us like foreigners? He not only sold us, but completely wasted24 the money paid for us!25 31:16 Surely all the wealth that God snatched away from our father belongs to us and to our children. So now do everything God has told you."

31:17 So Jacob immediately put his children and his wives on the camels.26 31:18 He took27 away all the livestock he had acquired in Paddan Aram and all his moveable property that he had accumulated. Then he set out toward the land of Canaan to return to his father Isaac.28

31:19 While Laban had gone to shear his sheep,29 Rachel stole the household idols30 that belonged to her father. 31:20 Jacob also deceived31 Laban the Aramean by not telling him that he was leaving.32 31:21 He left33 with all he owned. He quickly crossed34 the Euphrates River35 and headed for36 the hill country of Gilead.

31:22 Three days later Laban discovered Jacob had left.37 31:23 So he took his relatives38 with him and pursued Jacob39 for seven days.40 He caught up with41 him in the hill country of Gilead. 31:24 But God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and warned him,42 "Be careful43 that you neither bless nor curse Jacob."44

31:25 Laban overtook Jacob and when Jacob pitched his tent in the hill country of Gilead, Laban and his relatives set up camp there too.45 31:26 "What have you done?" Laban demanded of Jacob. "You've deceived me46 and carried away my daughters as if they were captives of war!47 31:27 Why did you run away secretly48 and deceive me?49 Why didn't you tell me so I could send you off with a celebration complete with singing, tambourines, and harps?50 31:28 You didn't even allow me to kiss my daughters and my grandchildren51 good-bye. You have acted foolishly! 31:29 I have52 the power to do you harm, but the God of your father told me last night, `Be careful53 that you neither bless nor curse Jacob.'54 31:30 Now I understand that55 you have gone away56 because you longed desperately57 for your father's house. Yet why did you steal my gods?"58

31:31 "I left secretly because I was afraid!"59 Jacob replied to Laban. "I thought60 you might take your daughters away from me by force.61 31:32 Whoever has taken your gods will be put to death!62 In the presence of our relatives63 identify whatever is yours and take it."64 (Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them.)65

31:33 So Laban entered Jacob's tent, and Leah's tent, and the tent of the two female servants, but he did not find the idols.66 Then he left Leah's tent and entered Rachel's.67 31:34 (Now Rachel had taken the idols and put them inside her camel's saddle68 and sat on them.)69 Laban searched the whole tent, but did not find them.70 31:35 Rachel71 said to her father, "Don't be angry,72 my lord. I cannot stand up73 in your presence because I am having my period."74 So he searched thoroughly,75 but did not find the idols.

31:36 Jacob became angry76 and argued with Laban. "What did I do wrong?" he demanded of Laban.77 "What sin of mine prompted you to chase after me in hot pursuit?78 31:37 When you searched through all my goods, did you find anything that belonged to you?79 Set it here before my relatives and yours,80 and let them settle the dispute between the two of us!81

31:38 "I have been with you for the past twenty years. Your ewes and female goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten rams from your flocks. 31:39 Animals torn by wild beasts I never brought to you; I always absorbed the loss myself.82 You always made me pay for every missing animal,83 whether it was taken by day or at night. 31:40 I was consumed by scorching heat84 during the day and by piercing cold85 at night; and I went without sleep.86 31:41 This was my lot87 for twenty years in your house: I worked like a slave88 for you--fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks, but you changed my wages ten times! 31:42 If the God of my father--the God of Abraham, the one whom Isaac fears89--had not been with me, you would certainly have sent me away empty-handed! But God saw how I was oppressed and how hard I worked,90 and he rebuked you last night."

31:43 Laban replied91 to Jacob, "These women92 are my daughters, these children are my grandchildren,93 and these flocks are my flocks. All that you see belongs to me. But how can I harm these daughters of mine today94 or the children to whom they have given birth? 31:44 So now, come, let's make a formal agreement,95 you and I, and it will be96 proof that we have made peace."97

31:45 So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a memorial pillar. 31:46 Then he98 said to his relatives, "Gather stones." So they brought stones and put them in a pile.99 They ate there by the pile of stones. 31:47 Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha,100 but Jacob called it Galeed.101

31:48 Laban said, "This pile of stones is a witness of our agreement102 today." That is why it was called Galeed. 31:49 It was also called Mizpah,103 because he said, "May the LORD watch104 between us105 when we are out of sight of one another.106 31:50 If you mistreat my daughters or if you take wives besides my daughters, although no one else is with us, realize107 that God is witness to your actions.108

31:51 "Here is this pile of stones and this pillar I have set up between me and you," Laban said to Jacob.109 31:52 "This pile of stones and the pillar are reminders that I will not pass beyond this pile to come to harm you and that you will not pass beyond this pile and this pillar to come to harm me.110 31:53 May the God of Abraham and the god of Nahor,111 the gods of their father, judge between us." Jacob took an oath by the God whom his father Isaac feared.112 31:54 Then Jacob offered a sacrifice113 on the mountain and invited his relatives to eat the meal.114 They ate the meal and spent the night on the mountain.

31:55 (32:1)115 Early in the morning Laban kissed116 his grandchildren117 and his daughters goodbye and blessed them. Then Laban left and returned home.118

Jacob Wrestles at Peniel

32:1 So Jacob went on his way and the angels of God1 met him. 32:2 When Jacob saw them, he exclaimed,2 "This is the camp of God!" So he named that place Mahanaim.3

32:3 Jacob sent messengers on ahead4 to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the region5 of Edom. 32:4 He commanded them, "This is what you must say to my lord Esau: `This is what your servant6 Jacob says: I have been staying with Laban until now. 32:5 I have oxen, donkeys, sheep, and male and female servants. I have sent7 this message8 to inform my lord, so that I may find favor in your sight.'"

32:6 The messengers returned to Jacob and said, "We went to your brother Esau. He is coming to meet you and has four hundred men with him." 32:7 Jacob was very afraid and upset. So he divided the people who were with him into two camps, as well as the flocks, herds, and camels. 32:8 "If Esau attacks one camp,"9 he thought,10 "then the other camp will be able to escape."11

32:9 Then Jacob prayed,12 "O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, O LORD, you said13 to me, `Return to your land and to your relatives and I will make you prosper.'14 32:10 I am not worthy of all the faithful love15 you have shown16 your servant. With only my walking stick17 I crossed the Jordan,18 but now I have become two camps. 32:11 Rescue me,19 I pray, from the hand20 of my brother Esau,21 for I am afraid he will come22 and attack me, as well as the mothers with their children.23 32:12 But you24 said, `I will certainly make you prosper,25 and will make26 your descendants like the sand on the seashore, too numerous to count.'"27

32:13 Jacob28 stayed there that night. Then he sent29 as a gift30 to his brother Esau 32:14 two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, 32:15 thirty female camels with their young, forty cows and ten bulls, and twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys. 32:16 He entrusted them to31 his servants, who divided them into herds.32 He told his servants, "Pass over before me, and keep some distance between one herd and the next." 32:17 He instructed the servant leading the first herd,33 "When my brother Esau meets you and asks, `To whom do you belong?34 Where are you going? Whose herds are you driving?'35 32:18 then you must say,36 `They belong37 to your servant Jacob.38 They have been sent as a gift to my lord Esau.39 In fact Jacob himself is behind us.'"40

32:19 He also gave these instructions to the second and third servants, as well as all those who were following the herds, saying, "You must say the same thing to Esau when you meet him.41 32:20 You must also say, `In fact your servant Jacob is behind us.'"42 Jacob thought,43 "I will first appease him44 by sending a gift ahead of me.45 After that I will meet him.46 Perhaps he will accept me."47 32:21 So the gifts were sent on ahead of him48 while he spent that night in the camp.49

32:22 During the night Jacob quickly took50 his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven sons51 and crossed the ford of the Jabbok.52 32:23 He took them and sent them across the stream along with all his possessions.53 32:24 So Jacob was left alone. Then a man54 wrestled55 with him until daybreak.56 32:25 When the man57 saw that he could not defeat Jacob,58 he struck59 the socket of his hip, so the socket of Jacob's hip was dislocated while he wrestled with him.

32:26 Then the man60 said, "Let me go, for the dawn is breaking."61 "I will not let you go," Jacob replied,62 "unless you bless me."63 32:27 The man asked him,64 "What is your name?"65 He answered, "Jacob." 32:28 "No longer will your name be Jacob," the man told him,66 "but Israel,67 because you have fought68 with God and with men and have prevailed."

32:29 Then Jacob asked, "Please tell me your name."69 "Why70 do you ask my name?" the man replied.71 Then he blessed72 Jacob73 there. 32:30 So Jacob named the place Peniel,74 explaining,75 "Certainly76 I have seen God face to face77 and have survived."78

32:31 The sun rose79 over him as he crossed over Penuel,80 but81 he was limping because of his hip. 32:32 That is why to this day82 the Israelites do not eat the sinew which is attached to the socket of the hip, because he struck83 the socket of Jacob's hip near the attached sinew.

Jacob Meets Esau

33:1Jacob looked up1 and saw that Esau was coming2 along with four hundred men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two female servants. 33:2 He put the servants and their children in front, with Leah and her children behind them, and Rachel and Joseph behind them.3 33:3 But Jacob4 himself went on ahead of them, and he bowed toward the ground seven times as he approached5 his brother. 33:4 But Esau ran to meet him, embraced him, hugged his neck, and kissed him. Then they both wept. 33:5 When Esau6 looked up7 and saw the women and the children, he asked, "Who are these people with you?" Jacob8 replied, "The children whom God has graciously given9 your servant." 33:6 The female servants came forward with their children and bowed down.10 33:7 Then Leah came forward with her children and they bowed down. Finally Joseph and Rachel came forward and bowed down.

33:8 Esau11 then asked, "What did you intend12 by sending all these herds to meet me?"13 Jacob14 replied, "To find favor in your sight, my lord." 33:9 But Esau said, "I have plenty, my brother. Keep what belongs to you." 33:10 "No, please take them," Jacob said.15 "If I have found favor in your sight, accept16 my gift from my hand. Now that I have seen your face and you have accepted me,17 it is as if I have seen the face of God.18 33:11 Please take my present19 that was brought to you, for God has been generous20 to me and I have all I need."21 When Jacob urged him, he took it.22

33:12 Then Esau23 said, "Let's be on our way!24 I will go in front of you." 33:13 But Jacob25 said to him, "My lord knows that the children are young,26 and that I have to look after the sheep and cattle that are nursing their young.27 If they are driven too hard for even a single day, all the animals will die." 33:14 Let my lord go on ahead of his servant. I will travel more slowly, at the pace of the herds and the children,28 until I come to my lord at Seir."

33:15 So Esau said, "Let me leave some of my men with you."29 "Why do that?" Jacob replied.30 "My lord has already been kind enough to me."31

33:16 So that same day Esau made his way back32 to Seir. 33:17 But33 Jacob traveled to Succoth,34 where he built himself a house and made shelters for his livestock. That is why the place was called35 Succoth.36

33:18 After he left Paddan Aram, Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem in the land of Canaan, and he camped near37 the city. 33:19 Then he purchased the portion of the field where he had pitched his tent; he bought it38 from the sons of Hamor, Shechem's father, for a hundred pieces of money.39 33:20 There he set up an altar and called it "The God of Israel is God."40

Dinah and the Shechemites

34:1 Now Dinah, Leah's daughter whom she bore to Jacob, went to meet1 the young women2 of the land. 34:2 When Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, who ruled that area, saw her, he grabbed her, forced himself on her,3 and sexually assaulted her.4 34:3 Then he became very attached5 to Dinah, Jacob's daughter. He fell in love with the young woman and spoke romantically to her.6 34:4 Shechem said to his father Hamor, "Acquire this young girl as my wife."7 34:5 When8 Jacob heard that Shechem9 had violated his daughter Dinah, his sons were with the livestock in the field. So Jacob remained silent10 until they came in.

34:6 Then Shechem's father Hamor went to speak with Jacob about Dinah.11 34:7 Now Jacob's sons had come in from the field when they heard the news.12 They13 were offended14 and very angry, because Shechem15 had disgraced Israel16 by sexually assaulting17 Jacob's daughter, a crime that should not be committed.18

34:8 But Hamor made this appeal to them: "My son Shechem is in love with your daughter.19 Please give her to him as his wife. 34:9 Intermarry with us.20 Let us marry your daughters, and take our daughters as wives for yourselves.21 34:10 You may live22 among us and the land will be open to you.23 Live in it, travel freely in it,24 and acquire property in it."

34:11 Then Shechem said to Dinah's25 father and brothers, "Let me find favor in your sight, and whatever you require of me26 I'll give.27 34:12 You can make the bride price and the gift I must bring very expensive,28 and I'll give29 whatever you ask30 of me. Just give me the young woman as my wife!"

34:13 Jacob's sons answered Shechem and his father Hamor deceitfully when they spoke, because Shechem31 had violated their sister Dinah. 34:14 They said to them, "We cannot give32 our sister to a man who is not circumcised, for it would be a disgrace33 to us. 34:15 We will give you our consent on this one condition: you must become34 like us by circumcising35 all your males. 34:16 Then we will give36 you our daughters to marry,37 and we will take your daughters as wives for ourselves; and we will live among you and become one people. 34:17 But if you do not agree to our terms38 by being circumcised, then we will take39 our sister40 and depart."

34:18 Their offer pleased Hamor and his son Shechem.41 34:19 The young man did not delay in doing what they asked,42 because he wanted Jacob's daughter Dinah43 badly. (Now he was more important44 than anyone in his father's household .)45 34:20 So Hamor and his son Shechem went to the gate46 of their city and spoke to the men of their city, 34:21 "These men are at peace with us. So let them live in the land and travel freely in it, for the land is wide enough47 for them. We will take their daughters for wives, and we will give them our daughters to marry.48 34:22 Only on this one condition will these men consent to live with us and become one people: they demand49 that every male among us be circumcised just as they are circumcised. 34:23 If we do so,50 won't their livestock, their property, and all their animals become ours? So let's consent to their demand, so they will live among us."

34:24 All the men who assembled at the city gate51 agreed with52 Hamor and his son Shechem. Every male who assembled at the city gate53 was circumcised. 34:25 In three days, when they were still in pain, two of Jacob's sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, each took his sword54 and went to the unsuspecting city55 and slaughtered every male. 34:26 They killed Hamor and his son Shechem with the sword, took Dinah from Shechem's house, and left. 34:27 Jacob's sons killed them56 and looted the city because their sister had been violated.57 34:28 They took their flocks, herds, and donkeys, as well as everything in the city and in the surrounding fields.58 34:29 They captured as plunder59 all their wealth, all their little ones, and their wives, including everything in the houses.

34:30 Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, "You have brought ruin60 on me by making me a foul odor61 among the inhabitants of the land--among the Canaanites and the Perizzites. I62 am few in number; and they will join forces against me and attack me and both I and my family will be destroyed!" 34:31 But Simeon and Levi replied,63 "Should he treat our sister like a common prostitute?"

The Return to Bethel

35:1 Then God said to Jacob, "Go up at once1 to Bethel and live there. Make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau."2 35:2 So Jacob told his household and all who were with him, "Get rid of the foreign gods you have among you.3 Purify yourselves and change your clothes.4 35:3 Let us go up at once5 to Bethel. Then I will make6 an altar there to God, who responded to me in my time of distress7 and has been with me wherever I went."8

35:4 So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods that were in their possession9 and the rings that were in their ears.10 Jacob buried them11 under the oak12 near Shechem 35:5 and they started on their journey.13 The surrounding cities were afraid of God14 and they did not pursue the sons of Jacob.

35:6 Jacob and all those who were with him arrived at Luz (that is, Bethel) in the land of Canaan.15 35:7 He built an altar there and named the place El Bethel,16 because there God had revealed himself17 to him when he was fleeing from his brother. 35:8 (Deborah,18 Rebekah's nurse, died and was buried under the oak below Bethel; thus it was named19 The Oak of Weeping.)20

35:9 God appeared to Jacob again after he returned from Paddan Aram and blessed him 35:10 God said to him, "Your name is Jacob, but your name will no longer be called Jacob; Israel will be your name." So God named him Israel.21 35:11 Then God said to him, "I am the Sovereign God.22 Be fruitful and multiply! A nation--even a company of nations--will descend from you; kings will be among your descendants!23 35:12 The land I gave24 to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you. To your descendants25 I will also give this land." 35:13 Then God went up from the place26 where he spoke with him. 35:14 So Jacob set up a sacred stone pillar in the place where God spoke with him.27 He poured out a drink offering on it and then he poured oil on it.28 35:15 Jacob named the place29 where God spoke with him Bethel.30

35:16 They traveled on from Bethel, and when Ephrath was still some distance away,31 Rachel went into labor32--and her labor was hard. 35:17 When her labor was at its hardest,33 the midwife said to her, "Don't be afraid, for you are having another son."34 35:18 With her dying breath,35 she named him Ben-Oni.36 But his father called him Benjamin instead.37 35:19 So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).38 35:20 Jacob set up a marker39 over her grave; it is40 the Marker of Rachel's Grave to this day.

35:21 Then Israel traveled on and pitched his tent beyond Migdal Eder.41 35:22 While Israel was living in that land, Reuben had sexual relations with42 Bilhah, his father's concubine, and Israel heard about it.

Jacob had twelve sons:

These were the sons of Jacob who were born to him in Paddan Aram.

35:27 So Jacob came back to his father Isaac in Mamre,43 to Kiriath Arba44 (that is, Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had stayed.45 35:28 Isaac lived to be one hundred and eighty years old.46 35:29 Then Isaac breathed his last and joined his ancestors.47 He died an old man who had lived a full life.48 His sons Esau and Jacob buried him.

The Descendants of Esau

36:1 What follows is the account of Esau (also known as Edom).1

36:2 Esau took his wives from the Canaanites:2 Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Oholibamah the daughter of Anah and granddaughter3 of Zibeon the Hivite, 36:3 in addition to Basemath the daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth.

36:4 Adah bore Eliphaz to Esau, Basemath bore Reuel, 36:5 and Oholibamah bore Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. These were the sons of Esau who were born to him in the land of Canaan.

36:6 Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, all the people in his household, his livestock, his animals, and all his possessions which he had acquired in the land of Canaan, and went to a land some distance away from4 Jacob his brother, 36:7 because they had too many possessions to be able to stay together and the land where they had settled5 was not able to support them because of their livestock. 36:8 So Esau (also known as Edom) lived in the hill country of Seir.6

36:9 This is the account of Esau, the father7 of the Edomites, in the hill country of Seir.

36:10 These were the names of Esau's sons:

Eliphaz, the son of Esau's wife Adah, and Reuel, the son of Esau's wife Basemath.

36:11 The sons of Eliphaz were:

Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, and Kenaz.

36:12 Timna, a concubine of Esau's son Eliphaz, bore Amalek to Eliphaz. These were the sons8 of Esau's wife Adah.

36:13 These were the sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. These were the sons9 of Esau's wife Basemath.

36:14 These were the sons of Esau's wife Oholibamah the daughter of Anah and granddaughter10 of Zibeon: she bore Jeush, Jalam, and Korah to Esau.

36:15 These were the chiefs among the descendants11 of Esau, the sons of Eliphaz, Esau's firstborn: chief Teman, chief Omar, chief Zepho, chief Kenaz, 36:16 chief Korah,12 chief Gatam, chief Amalek. These were the chiefs descended from Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these were the sons13 of Adah.

36:17 These were the sons of Esau's son Reuel: chief Nahath, chief Zerah, chief Shammah, chief Mizzah. These were the chiefs descended from Reuel in the land of Edom; these were the sons14 of Esau's wife Basemath.

36:18 These were the sons of Esau's wife Oholibamah: chief Jeush, chief Jalam, chief Korah. These were the chiefs descended from Esau's wife Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah.

36:19 These were the sons of Esau (also known as Edom), and these were their chiefs.

36:20 These were the sons of Seir the Horite,15 who were living in the land: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, 36:21 Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. These were the chiefs of the Horites, the descendants16 of Seir in the land of Edom.

36:22 The sons of Lotan were Hori and Homam;17 Lotan's sister was Timna.

36:23 These were the sons of Shobal: Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho,18 and Onam.

36:24 These were the sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah (who discovered the hot springs19 in the wilderness as he pastured the donkeys of his father Zibeon).

36:25 These were the children20 of Anah: Dishon and Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah.

36:26 These were the sons of Dishon:21 Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Keran.

36:27 These were the sons of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan, and Akan.

36:28 These were the sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran.

36:29 These were the chiefs of the Horites: chief Lotan, chief Shobal, chief Zibeon, chief Anah, 36:30 chief Dishon, chief Ezer, chief Dishan. These were the chiefs of the Horites, according to their chief lists in the land of Seir.

36:31 These were the kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before any king ruled over the Israelites:22

36:32 Bela the son of Beor reigned in Edom; the name of his city was Dinhabah.

36:33 When Bela died, Jobab the son of Zerah from Bozrah reigned in his place.

36:34 When Jobab died, Husham from the land of the Temanites reigned in his place.

36:35 When Husham died, Hadad the son of Bedad, who defeated the Midianites in the land of Moab, reigned in his place; the name of his city was Avith.

36:36 When Hadad died, Samlah from Masrekah reigned in his place.

36:37 When Samlah died, Shaul from Rehoboth by the River23 reigned in his place.

36:38 When Shaul died, Baalhanan the son of Achbor reigned in his place.

36:39 When Baalhanan the son of Achbor died, Hadad24 reigned in his place; the name of his city was Pau.25 His wife's name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Me-zahab.

36:40 These were the names of the chiefs of Esau, according to their families, according to their places, by their names: chief Timna, chief Alvah, chief Jetheth, 36:41 chief Oholibamah, chief Elah, chief Pinon, 36:42 chief Kenaz, chief Temam, chief Mibzar, 36:43 chief Magdiel, chief Iram. These were the chiefs of Edom, according to their settlements26 in the land they possessed. This was Esau, the father of the Edomites.

Joseph's Dreams

37:1 But Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed,1 in the land of Canaan.2

37:2 This is the account of Jacob.

Joseph, who was seventeen years old,3 was taking care of4 the flocks with his brothers. Now he was a youngster5 working with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives.6 Joseph brought back a bad report about them7 to their father.

37:3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons,8 because he was a son born to him late in life;9 and he made a special10 tunic for him. 37:4 When Joseph's11 brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them,12 they hated him and were not able to speak to him kindly.13

37:5 Joseph14 had a dream,15 and when he told his brothers about it,16 they hated him even more.17 37:6 He said to them, "Listen to this dream I had.18 37:7 There we were,19 binding sheaves of grain in the middle of the field. Suddenly my sheaf rose up and stood upright and your sheaves surrounded my sheaf and bowed down20 to it!" 37:8 Then his brothers asked him, "Do you really think you will rule over us or have dominion over us?"21 They hated him even more22 because of his dream and because of what he said.23

37:9 Then he had another dream,24 and told it to his brothers. "Look,"25 he said. "I had another dream. The sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me." 37:10 When he told his father and his brothers, his father rebuked him, saying, "What is this dream that you had?26 Will I, your mother, and your brothers really come and bow down to you?"27 37:11 His brothers were jealous28 of him, but his father kept what Joseph said in mind.29

37:12 When his brothers had gone to graze their father's flocks near Shechem, 37:13 Israel said to Joseph, "Your brothers30 are grazing the flocks near Shechem. Come, I will send you to them." "I'm ready,"31 Joseph replied.32 37:14 So Jacob33 said to him, "Go, now and check on34 the welfare35 of your brothers and of the flocks, and bring me word." So Jacob36 sent him from the valley of Hebron.

37:15 When Joseph reached Shechem,37 a man found him wandering38 in the field, so the man asked him, "What are you looking for?" 37:16 He replied, "I'm looking for my brothers. Please tell39 me where they are grazing their flocks." 37:17 The man said, "They left this area,40 for I heard them say, `Let's go to Dothan.'" So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan.

37:18 Now Joseph's brothers41 saw him from a distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him. 37:19 They said to one another, "Here comes this master of dreams!42 37:20 Come now, let's kill him, throw him into one of the cisterns, and then say that a wild43 animal ate him. Then we'll see how his dreams turn out!"44

37:21 When Reuben heard this, he rescued Joseph45 from their hands,46 saying,47 "Let's not take his life!"48 37:22 Reuben continued,49 "Don't shed blood! Throw him into this cistern that is here in the wilderness, but don't lay a hand on him."50 (Reuben said this51 so he could rescue Joseph52 from them53 and take him back to his father.)

37:23 When Joseph reached his brothers, they stripped him54 of his tunic, the special tunic that he wore. 37:24 Then they took him and threw him into the cistern. (Now the cistern was empty;55 there was no water in it.)

37:25 When they sat down to eat their food, they looked up56 and saw57 a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were carrying spices, balm, and myrrh down to Egypt.58 37:26 Then Judah said to his brothers, "What profit is there if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? 37:27 Come, let's sell him to the Ishmaelites; but let's not lay a hand on him,59 for after all, he's our brother, our own flesh." His brothers agreed.60 37:28 So when the Midianite61 merchants passed by, Joseph's brothers pulled62 him63 out of the cistern, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. The Ishmaelites64 then took Joseph to Egypt.

37:29 Later Reuben returned to the cistern to find that Joseph was not in it!65 He tore his clothes, 37:30 returned to his brothers, and said, "The boy isn't there! And I, where can I go?" 37:31 So they took Joseph's tunic, killed a young goat,66 and dipped the tunic in the blood. 37:32 Then they brought the special tunic to their father67 and said, "We found this. Determine now whether it is your son's tunic or not."

37:33 He recognized it and exclaimed, "It is my son's tunic! A wild animal has eaten him!68 Joseph has surely been torn to pieces!" 37:34 Then Jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth,69 and mourned for his son many days. 37:35 All his sons and daughters stood by70 him to console him, but he refused to be consoled. "No," he said, "I will go to the grave mourning my son."71 So Joseph's72 father wept for him.

37:36 Now73 in Egypt the Midianites74 sold Joseph75 to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh's officials, the captain of the guard.76

Judah and Tamar

38:1 At that time Judah left1 his brothers and stayed2 with an Adullamite man3 named Hirah. 38:2 There Judah saw the daughter of a Canaanite man4 named Shua.5 Judah acquired her as a wife6 and had marital relations with her.7 38:3 She became pregnant8 and had a son. Judah named9 him Er. 38:4 She became pregnant again and had another son, whom she named Onan. 38:5 Then she had10 yet another son, whom she named Shelah. She gave birth to him in Kezib.11

38:6 Judah acquired12 a wife for Er his firstborn; her name was Tamar. 38:7 But Er, Judah's firstborn, was evil in the LORD's sight, so the LORD killed him.

38:8 Then Judah said to Onan, "Have sexual relations with13 your brother's wife and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law to her, so that you may raise14 up a descendant for your brother."15 38:9 But Onan knew that the child16 would not be considered his.17 So whenever18 he had sexual relations with19 his brother's wife, he withdrew prematurely,20 so as not to give his brother a descendant. 38:10 What he did was evil in the LORD's sight, so the LORD21 killed him too.

38:11 Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, "Live as a widow in your father's house until Shelah my son grows up." For he thought,22 "I don't want him to die like his brothers."23 So Tamar went and lived in her father's house.

38:12 After some time24 Judah's wife, the daughter of Shua, died. After Judah was consoled, he left for Timnah to visit his sheepshearers, along with25 his friend Hirah the Adullamite. 38:13 Tamar was told,26 "Look, your father-in-law is going up27 to Timnah to shear his sheep." 38:14 So she removed her widow's clothes and covered herself with a veil. She wrapped herself and sat at the entrance to Enaim which is on the way to Timnah. (She did this because28 she saw that she had not been given to Shelah as a wife, even though he had now grown up.)29

38:15 When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute,30 because she had covered her face. 38:16 He turned aside to her along the road and said, "Come on! I want to have sex with you."31 (He did not realize32 it was his daughter-in-law.) She asked, "What will you give me in exchange for having sex with you?"33 38:17 He replied, "I'll send you a young goat from the flock." She asked, "Will you give me a pledge until you send it?"34 38:18 He said, "What pledge should I give you?" She replied, "Your seal, your cord, and the staff that's in your hand." So he gave them to her and had sex with her.35 She became pregnant by him. 38:19 She left immediately,36 removed her veil, and put on her widow's clothes.

38:20 Then Judah had his friend37 the Adullamite take a young goat to get back from the woman the items he had given in pledge,38 but Judah's friend39 could not find her. 38:21 He asked the men who were there,40 "Where is the cult prostitute41 who was at Enaim by the road?" But they replied, "There has been no cult prostitute here." 38:22 So he returned to Judah and said, "I couldn't find her. Moreover, the men of the place said, `There has been no cult prostitute here.'" 38:23 Judah said, "Let her keep the things42 for herself. Otherwise we will appear to be dishonest.43 I did indeed send this young goat, but you couldn't find her."

38:24 After three months Judah was told,44 "Your daughter-in-law Tamar has turned to prostitution,45 and as a result she has become pregnant."46 Judah said, "Bring her out and let her be burned!" 38:25 While they were bringing her out, she sent word47 to her father-in-law: "I am pregnant by the man to whom these belong."48 Then she said, "Identify49 the one to whom the seal, cord, and staff belong." 38:26 Judah recognized them and said, "She is more upright50 than I, because I wouldn't give her to Shelah my son." He did not have sexual relations with her51 again.

38:27 When it was time for her to give birth, there were twins in her womb. 38:28 While she was giving birth, one child52 put out his hand, and the midwife took a scarlet threat and tied it on his hand, saying, "This one came out first." 38:29 But then he drew back his hand, and his brother came out before him.53 She said, "How you have broken out of the womb!"54 So he was named Perez.55 38:30 Afterward his brother came out--the one who had the scarlet thread on his hand--and he was named Zerah.56

Joseph and Potiphar's Wife

39:1Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt.1 An Egyptian named Potiphar, an official of Pharaoh and the captain of the guard,2 purchased him from3 the Ishmaelites who had brought him there. 39:2 The LORD was with Joseph. He was successful4 and lived5 in the household of his Egyptian master. 39:3 His master observed that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made everything he was doing successful.6 39:4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal attendant.7 Potiphar appointed Joseph8 overseer of his household and put him in charge9 of everything he owned. 39:5 From the time10 Potiphar11 appointed him over his household and over all that he owned, the LORD blessed12 the Egyptian's household for Joseph's sake. The blessing of the LORD was on everything that he had, both13 in his house and in his fields.14 39:6 So Potiphar15 left16 everything he had in Joseph's care;17 he gave no thought18 to anything except the food he ate.19

Now Joseph was well built and good looking.20 39:7 Soon after these things, his master's wife took notice of21 Joseph and said, "Have sex with me."22 39:8 But he refused, saying23 to his master's wife, "Look, my master does not give any thought24 to his household with me here,25 and everything that he owns he has put into my care.26 39:9 There is no one greater in this household than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do27 such a great evil, and sin against God?" 39:10 Even though she continued to speak28 to Joseph day after day, he did not respond29 to her invitation to have sex with her.30

39:11 One day31 he went into the house to do his work, when none of the household servants32 were there in the house. 39:12 She grabbed him by his outer garment, saying, "Have sex with me!" But he left his outer garment in her hand and ran33 outside.34 39:13 When she saw that he had left his outer garment in her hand and had run outside, 39:14 she called for her household servants and said to them, "See, my husband brought35 in a Hebrew man36 to us to humiliate us.37 He tried to have sex with me,38 but I screamed loudly.39 39:15 When he heard me raise40 my voice and scream, he left his outer garment beside me and ran outside."

39:16 So she laid his outer garment beside her until his master came home. 39:17 This is what she said to him:41 "That Hebrew slave42 you brought to us tried to humiliate me,43 39:18 but when I raised my voice and screamed, he left his outer garment and ran outside."

39:19 When his master heard his wife say,44 "This is the way45 your slave treated me,"46 he became furious.47 39:20 Joseph's master took him and threw him into the prison,48 the place where the king's prisoners were confined. So he was there in the prison.49

39:21 But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him kindness.50 He granted him favor in the sight of the warden of the prison.51 39:22 The warden put all the prisoners under Joseph's care. He was in charge of whatever they were doing.52 39:23 The warden did not concern himself53 with anything that was in Joseph's54 care, because the LORD was with him, and whatever he was doing the LORD was making successful.

The Cupbearer and the Baker

40:1 After these things happened, the cupbearer1 to the king of Egypt and the royal baker2 offended3 their master, the king of Egypt. 40:2 Pharaoh was enraged with his two officials,4 the cupbearer and the baker; 40:3 so he imprisoned them in the house of the captain of the guards, in the same facility where Joseph was confined. 40:4 The captain of the guard appointed Joseph to be their attendant and he served them.5

They spent some time in custody.6 40:5 Both of them, the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison, had a dream7 the same night.8 Each man's dream had its own meaning.9 40:6 When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they were looking depressed.10 40:7 So he asked Pharaoh's officials, who were with him in custody in his master's house, "Why do you look so sad today?"11 40:8 They told him, "We both had dreams,12 but there is no one to interpret them." Joseph responded, "Don't interpretations belong to God? Tell them13 to me."

40:9 So the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph:14 "In my dream, there was a vine in front of me. 40:10 On the vine there were three branches. As it budded, its blossoms opened and its clusters ripened into grapes. 40:11 Now Pharaoh's cup was in my hand, so I took the grapes, squeezed them into his15 cup, and put the cup in Pharaoh's hand."16

40:12 "This is its meaning," Joseph said to him. "The three branches represent17 three days. 40:13 In three more days Pharaoh will reinstate you18 and restore you to your office. You will put Pharaoh's cup in his hand, just as you did before19 when you were cupbearer. 40:14 But remember me20 when it goes well for you, and show21 me kindness.22 Make mention23 of me to Pharaoh and bring me out of this prison,24 40:15 for I really was kidnapped25 from the land of the Hebrews and I have done nothing wrong here for which they should put me in a dungeon."

40:16 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation of the first dream was favorable,26 he said to Joseph, "I also appeared in my dream and there were three baskets of white bread27 on my head. 40:17 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."

40:18 Joseph replied, "This is its meaning: the three baskets represent28 three days. 40:19 In three more days Pharaoh will decapitate you29 and impale you on a pole. Then the birds will eat your flesh from you."

40:20 On the third day it was Pharaoh's birthday, so he gave a feast for all his servants. He "lifted up"30 the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker in the midst of his servants. 40:21 He restored the chief cupbearer to his former position,31 so that he placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand, 40:22 but the chief baker he impaled, just as Joseph had predicted.32 40:23 But the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph--he forgot him.33

Joseph's Rise to Power

41:1 At the end of two full years1 Pharaoh had a dream.2 As he was standing by the Nile, 41:2 seven fine-looking, fat cows were coming up out of the Nile,3 and they grazed in the reeds. 41:3 Then seven bad-looking, thin cows were coming up after them from the Nile,4 and they stood beside the other cows at the edge of the river.5 41:4 The bad-looking, thin cows ate the seven fine-looking, fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up.

41:5 Then he fell asleep again and had a second dream: there were seven heads of grain growing6 on one stalk, healthy7 and good. 41:6 Then8 seven heads of grain, thin and burned by the east wind, were sprouting up after them. 41:7 The thin heads swallowed up the seven healthy and full heads. Then Pharaoh woke up and realized it was a dream.9

41:8 In the morning he10 was troubled; so he called for11 all the diviner-priests12 of Egypt and all its wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams,13 but no one could interpret14 them for him.15 41:9 Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, "Today I recall my failures.16 41:10 Pharaoh was enraged with his servants and he put me in prison in the house of the captain of the guards--me and the chief baker. 41:11 We each had a dream one night; each of us had a dream with its own meaning.17 41:12 Now a young man, a Hebrew, a servant18 of the captain of the guards,19 was with us there. We told him our dreams20 and he interpreted the meaning of each of our respective dreams for us.21 41:13 It happened just as he had said22 to us--Pharaoh23 restored me to my office, but he impaled the baker."24

41:14 Then Pharaoh summoned25 Joseph. So they brought him quickly out of the dungeon; he shaved himself, changed his clothes, and came before Pharaoh. 41:15 Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I had a dream26 and there is no one who can interpret27 it. But I have heard about you, that28 you can interpret dreams."29 41:16 Joseph replied to Pharaoh, "It is not within my power,30 but God will speak concerning31 the welfare of Pharaoh."32

41:17 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "In my dream I was standing33 by the edge of the Nile. 41:18 Then seven fat and fine-looking cows were coming up out of the Nile, and they grazed in the reeds.34 41:19 Then35 seven other cows came up after them; they were scrawny, very bad-looking, and lean. I had never seen such bad-looking cows36 as these in all the land of Egypt! 41:20 The lean, bad-looking cows ate up the seven37 fat cows. 41:21 When they had eaten them,38 no one would have known39 that they had done so, for they were just as bad-looking as before. Then I woke up. 41:22 I also saw in my dream40 seven heads of grain growing on one stalk, full and good. 41:23 Then41 seven heads of grain, withered and thin and burned with the east wind, were sprouting up after them. 41:24 The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven good heads of grain. So I told all this42 to the diviner-priests, but no one could tell me its meaning."43

41:25 Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, "Both dreams of Pharaoh have the same meaning.44 God has revealed45 to Pharaoh what he is about to do.46 41:26 The seven good cows represent seven years and the seven good heads of grain represent seven years. Both dreams have the same meaning.47 41:27 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 represent48 seven years of famine. 41:28 This is just what I told49 Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. 41:29 Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the whole land of Egypt. 41:30 But seven years of famine will occur50 after them, and all the abundance will be forgotten in the land of Egypt. The famine will devastate51 the land. 41:31 The previous abundance of the land will not be remembered52 because of the famine that follows, for the famine will be very severe.53 41:32 The dream was repeated to Pharaoh54 because the matter has been decreed55 by God, and God will make it happen soon.56

41:33 "So now Pharaoh should look57 for a wise and discerning man,58 and give him authority59 over all the land of Egypt. 41:34 Pharaoh should do60 this--he should appoint61 officials62 throughout the land to collect one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt63 during the seven years of abundance. 41:35 They should gather all the excess food64 during these good years that are coming. By Pharaoh's authority65 they should store up grain so the cities will have food,66 and they should preserve it.67 41:36 This food should be held in storage for the land in preparation for the seven years of famine that will occur throughout the land of Egypt. In this way the land will survive the famine."68

41:37 This advice made sense to Pharaoh and all his officials.69 41:38 So Pharaoh asked his officials, "Can we find a man like Joseph,70 one in whom the Spirit of God is present?"71 41:39 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Because God has enabled you to know all this, there is no one as wise and discerning72 as you are! 41:40 You will oversee my household and all my people will submit to your commands.73 Only I, the king, will be greater than you.74

41:41 "See here," Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I place75 you in authority over all the land of Egypt."76 41:42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his own hand and put it on Joseph's. He clothed him with fine linen77 clothes and put a gold chain around his neck. 41:43 Pharaoh78 had him ride in the chariot for his second-in-command,79 and they cried out before him, "Kneel down!"80 So he placed him over all the land of Egypt. 41:44 Pharaoh also said to Joseph, "I am Pharaoh, but without your permission81 no one82 will move his hand or his foot83 in all the land of Egypt." 41:45 Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah.84 He also gave him Asenath85 daughter of Potiphera, priest of On,86 to be his wife. So Joseph took charge of87 all the land of Egypt.

41:46 Now Joseph was thirty years old88 when he began serving89 Pharaoh king of Egypt. Joseph was commissioned by90 Pharaoh and was in charge of91 all the land of Egypt. 41:47 During the seven years of abundance the land produced large, bountiful harvests.92 41:48 Joseph93 collected all the excess food94 in the land of Egypt during the seven years and stored it in the cities.95 In every city he put the food gathered from the fields around it. 41:49 Joseph stored up a vast amount of grain, like the sand of the sea,96 until he stopped measuring it because it was impossible to measure.

41:50 Two sons were born to Joseph before the famine came.97 Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, was their mother.98 41:51 Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh,99 saying,100 "Certainly101 God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's house." 41:52 He named the second child Ephraim,102 saying,103 "Certainly104 God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering."

41:53 The seven years of abundance in the land of Egypt came to an end. 41:54 Then the seven years of famine began,105 just as Joseph had predicted. There was famine in all the other lands, but throughout the land of Egypt there was food. 41:55 When all the land of Egypt experienced the famine, the people cried out to Pharaoh for food. Pharaoh said to all the people of Egypt,106 "Go to Joseph and do whatever he tells you."

41:56 While the famine was over all the face of the earth,107 Joseph opened the storehouses108 and sold grain to the Egyptians. The famine was severe throughout the land of Egypt. 41:57 People from every country109 came to Joseph in Egypt to buy grain, because the famine was severe throughout the earth.

Joseph's Brothers in Egypt

42:1 When Jacob heard1 there was grain in Egypt, he2 said to his sons, "Why are you looking at each other?"3 42:2 He then said, "Look, I hear that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy grain for us,4 so that we may live5 and not die."6

42:3 So ten of Joseph's brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt. 42:4 But Jacob did not send Joseph's brother Benjamin with his brothers,7 for he said,8 "What if some accident9 happens10 to him?" 42:5 So Israel's sons came to buy grain among the other travelers,11 for the famine was severe in the land of Canaan.

42:6 Now Joseph was the ruler of the country, the one who sold grain to all the people of the country.12 Joseph's brothers came and bowed down13 before him with14 their faces to the ground. 42:7 When Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them; but he pretended to be a stranger15 to them and spoke to them harshly. He asked, "Where do you come from?" They answered,16 "From the land of Canaan to buy grain for food."17

42:8 Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him. 42:9 Then Joseph remembered18 the dreams he had dreamed about them, and he said to them, "You are spies; you have come to see if our land is vulnerable!"19

42:10 But they exclaimed,20 "No, my lord! Your servants have come to buy grain for food! 42:11 We are all the sons of one man; we are honest men! Your servants are not spies."

42:12 "No," he insisted, "but you have come to see if our land is vulnerable."21 42:13 They replied, "Your servants are from a family of twelve brothers.22 We are the sons of one man in the land of Canaan. The youngest is with our father at this time,23 and one is no longer alive."24

42:14 But Joseph told them, "It is just as I said to you,25 you are spies! 42:15 You will be tested in this way: As surely as Pharaoh lives,26 you will not depart from this place unless your youngest brother comes here. 42:16 One of you must go and get27 your brother, while28 the rest of you remain in prison.29 In this way your words may be tested to see if30 you are telling the truth.31 If not, then, as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!" 42:17 He imprisoned32 them all for three days. 42:18 On the third day Joseph said to them, "Do as I say33 and you will live,34 for I fear God.35 42:19 If you are honest men, leave one of your brothers confined here in prison36 while the rest of you go37 and take grain back for your hungry families.38 42:20 But you must bring39 your youngest brother to me. Then40 your words will be verified41 and you will not die." They did as he said.42

42:21 They said to one other,43 "Surely we're being punished44 because of our brother, because we saw how distressed he was45 when he cried to us for mercy, but we refused to listen. That is why this distress46 has come on us!" 42:22 Reuben said to them, "Didn't I say to you, `Don't sin against the boy', but you wouldn't listen? So now we must pay for shedding his blood."47 42:23 (Now48 they did not know that Joseph could understand them,49 for he was speaking through an interpreter.)50 42:24 He turned away from them and wept. When he turned around and spoke to them again,51 he had Simeon taken52 from them and tied up53 before their eyes.

42:25 Then Joseph gave orders to fill54 their bags with grain, to return each man's money to his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. His orders were carried out.55 42:26 So they loaded their grain on their donkeys and left.56

42:27 When one of them57 opened his sack to get feed for his donkey at their resting place,58 he saw his money in the mouth of his sack.59 42:28 He said to his brothers, "My money was returned! Here it is in my sack!" They were dismayed;60 they turned trembling one to another61 and said, "What in the world has God done to us?"62

42:29 They returned to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan and told him all the things that had happened to them, saying, 42:30 "The man, the lord of the land, spoke harshly to us and treated us63 as if we were64 spying on the land. 42:31 But we said to him, `We are honest men; we are not spies. 42:32 We are from a family of twelve brothers; we are the sons of one father.65 One is no longer alive,66 and the youngest is with our father at this time,67 in the land of Canaan.'

42:33 "Then the man, the lord of the land, said to us, `In this way I will find out if you are honest men. Leave one of your brothers with me, and take grain68 for your hungry households and go. 42:34 But bring your youngest brother back to me so I will know69 that you are honest men and not spies.70 Then I will give your brother back to you and you may move about freely in the land.'"71

42:35 When they were emptying their sacks, there was each man's bag of money in his sack! When they and their father saw the bags of money, they were afraid. 42:36 Their father Jacob said to them, "You are making me childless! Joseph is gone.72 Simeon is gone.73 And now you want to take74 Benjamin! Everything is against me."

42:37 Then Reuben said to his father, "You may75 put my two sons to death if I do not bring him back to you. Put him in my care76 and I will bring him back to you." 42:38 But Jacob77 replied, "My son will not go down there with you, for his brother is dead and he alone is left.78 If an accident happens to him on the journey you have to make, then you will bring down my gray hair79 in sorrow to the grave."80

The Second Journey to Egypt

43:1 Now the famine was severe in the land.1 43:2 When they finished eating the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, "Return, buy us a little more food."

43:3 But Judah said to him, "The man solemnly warned2 us, `You will not see my face3 unless your brother is with you.' 43:4 If you send4 our brother with us, we'll go down and buy food for you. 43:5 But if you will not send him, we won't go down there, because the man said to us, `You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.'"

43:6 Israel said, "Why did you bring this trouble5 on me by telling6 the man you had one more brother?"

43:7 They replied, "The man questioned us7 thoroughly8 about ourselves and our family, saying, `Is your father still alive? Do you have another brother?'9 So we answered him in this way.10 How could we possibly know11 that he would say,12 `Bring your brother down'?"

43:8 Then Judah said to his father Israel, "Send the boy with me and we will go immediately.13 Then we will live14 and not die--we and you and our little ones. 43:9 I myself pledge security15 for him; you may hold me liable. If I do not bring him back to you and place him here before you, I will bear the blame before you all my life.16 43:10 But if we had not delayed, we could have traveled there and back17 twice by now."

43:11 Then their father Israel said to them, "If it must be so, then do this: take some of the best products of the land in your bags, and take a gift down to the man--a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachios and almonds. 43:12 Take double the money with you;18 you must take back19 the money that was returned in the mouths of your sacks--perhaps it was an oversight. 43:13 Take your brother too, and go right away20 to the man.21 43:14 May the Sovereign God22 grant you mercy before the man so that he may release23 your other brother24 and Benjamin! As for me, if I lose my children I lose them."25

43:15 So the men took these gifts, and they took double the money with them, along with Benjamin. Then they hurried down to Egypt26 and stood before Joseph. 43:16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the servant who was over his household, "Bring the men to the house. Slaughter an animal and prepare it, for the men will eat with me at noon." 43:17 The man did just as Joseph said; he27 brought the men into Joseph's house.28

43:18 But the men were afraid when they were brought to Joseph's house. They said, "We are being brought in because of29 the money that was returned in our sacks last time.30 He wants to capture us,31 make us slaves, and take32 our donkeys!" 43:19 So they approached the man who was in charge of Joseph's household and spoke to him at the entrance to the house. 43:20 They said, "My lord, we did indeed come down33 the first time34 to buy food. 43:21 But when we came to the place where we spent the night, we opened our sacks and each of us found his money--the full amount35--in the mouth of his sack. So we have returned it.36 43:22 We have brought additional money with us to buy food. We do not know who put the money in our sacks."

43:23 "Everything is fine,"37 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.38 I had your money."39 Then he brought Simeon out to them.

43:24 The servant in charge40 brought the men into Joseph's house. He gave them water and they washed their feet. Then he gave food to their donkeys. 43:25 They got their gifts ready for Joseph's arrival41 at noon, for they had heard42 that they were to have a meal43 there.

43:26 When Joseph came home, they presented him with the gifts they had brought inside,44 and they bowed down to the ground before him. 43:27 He asked them how they were doing.45 Then he said, "Is your aging father well, the one you spoke about? Is he still alive?" 43:28 "Your servant our father is well," they replied. "He is still alive." They bowed down in humility.46

43:29 When Joseph looked up47 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."48 43:30 Joseph hurried out, for he was overcome by affection for his brother49 and was at the point of tears.50 So he went to his room and wept there.

43:31 Then he washed his face and came out. With composure he said,51 "Set out the food." 43:32 They set a place for him, a separate place for his brothers,52 and another for the Egyptians who were eating with him. (The Egyptians are not able to eat with Hebrews, for the Egyptians think it is disgusting53 to do so.)54 43:33 They sat before him, arranged by order of birth, beginning with the firstborn and ending with the youngest.55 The men looked at each other in astonishment.56 43:34 He gave them portions of the food set before him,57 but the portion for Benjamin was five times greater than the portions for any of the others. They drank with Joseph until they all became drunk.58

The Final Test

44:1 He instructed the servant who was over his household, "Fill the sacks of the men with as much food as they can carry and put each man's money in the mouth of his sack. 44:2 Then put1 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.2

44:3 When morning came,3 the men and their donkeys were sent off.4 44:4 They had not gone very far from the city5 when Joseph said6 to the servant who was over his household, "Pursue the men at once!7 When you overtake8 them, say to them, `Why have you repaid good with evil? 44:5 Doesn't my master drink from this cup9 and use it for divination?10 You have done wrong!'"11

44:6 When the man12 overtook them, he spoke these words to them. 44:7 They answered him, "Why does my lord say such things?13 Far be it from your servants to do such a thing.14 44:8 Look, the money that we found in the mouths of our sacks we brought back to you from the land of Canaan. Why then would we steal silver or gold from your master's house? 44:9 If one of us has it,15 he will die, and the rest of us will become my lord's slaves."

44:10 He replied, "You have suggested your own punishment.16 The one who has it will become my slave,17 but the rest of18 you will go free."19 44:11 So each man quickly lowered20 his sack to the ground and opened his it. 44:12 Then the man21 searched. He began with the oldest and finished with the youngest. The cup was found in Benjamin's sack! 44:13 They all tore their clothes! Then each man loaded his donkey, and they returned to the city.

44:14 So Judah and his brothers22 came back to Joseph's house. He was still there,23 and they threw themselves to the ground before him. 44:15 Joseph said to them, "What did you think you were doing?24 Don't you know that a man like me can find out things like this by divination?"25

44:16 Judah replied, "What can we say26 to my lord? What can we speak? How can we clear ourselves?27 God has exposed the sin of your servants.28 We are now my lord's slaves, we and the one in whose possession the cup was found."

44:17 But Joseph said, "Far be it from me to do this! The man in whose hand the cup was found will become my slave, but the rest of29 you may go back30 to your father in peace."

44:18 Then Judah approached him and said, "My lord, please allow your servant to speak a word with you.31 Please do not get angry with your servant,32 for you are just like Pharaoh.33 44:19 My lord asked his servants, `Do you have a father or a brother?' 44:20 We said to my lord, `We have an aged father and there is a young boy, who was born when our father was old.34 The boy's35 brother is dead. He is the only one of his mother's sons left36 and his father loves him.'

44:21 "Then you told your servants, `Bring him down to me so I can see37 him.'38 44:22 We said to my lord, `The boy cannot leave his father. If he leaves his father, his father39 will die.'40 44:23 But you said to your servants, `If your youngest brother does not come down with you, you will not see my face again.' 44:24 When we returned to your servant my father, we told him the words of my lord.

44:25 "Then our father said, `Go back and buy us a little food.' 44:26 But we replied, `We cannot go down there.41 If our youngest brother is with us, then we will go,42 for we won't be permitted to see the man's face if our youngest brother is not with us.'

44:27 "Then your servant my father said to us, `You know that my wife gave me two sons.43 44:28 The first disappeared44and I said, "He has surely been torn to pieces." I have not seen him since. 44:29 If you take45 this one from me too and an accident happens to him, then you will bring down my gray hair46 in tragedy47 to the grave.'48

44:30 "So now, when I return to your servant my father, and the boy is not with us--his very life is bound up in his son's life.49 44:31 When he sees the boy is not with us,50 he will die, and your servants will bring down the gray hair of your servant our father in sorrow to the grave. 44:32 Indeed,51 your servant pledged security for the boy with my father, saying, `If I do not bring him back to you, then I will bear the blame before my father all my life.'

44:33 "So now, please let your servant remain as my lord's slave instead of the boy. As for the boy, let him go back with his brothers. 44:34 For how can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? I couldn't bear to see52 my father's pain."53

The Reconciliation of the Brothers

45:1 Joseph was no longer able to control himself before all his attendants,1 so he cried out, "Make everyone go out from my presence!" No one remained2 with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. 45:2 He wept loudly;3 the Egyptians heard it and Pharaoh's household heard about it.4

45:3 Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?" His brothers could not answer him because they were dumbfounded before him. 45:4 Joseph said to his brothers, "Come closer to me," so they came near. Then he said, "I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. 45:5 Now, do not be upset and do not be angry with yourselves because you sold me here,5 for God sent me6 ahead of you to preserve life. 45:6 For these past two years there has been famine in7 the land and for five more years there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. 45:7 God sent me8 ahead of you to preserve you9 on the earth and to save your lives10 by a great deliverance. 45:8 So now, it is not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me an adviser11 to Pharaoh, lord over all his household, and ruler over all the land of Egypt. 45:9 Now go up to my father quickly12 and tell him, `This is what your son Joseph says: "God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; do not delay. 45:10 You will live13 in the land of Goshen, and you will be near me--you, your children, your grandchildren, your flocks, your herds, and everything you have. 45:11 I will provide you with food14 there, because there will be five more years of famine. Otherwise you would become poor--you, your household, and everyone who belongs to you."' 45:12 You and my brother Benjamin can certainly see with your own eyes that I really am the one who speaks to you.15 45:13 So tell16 my father about all my honor in Egypt and about everything you have seen. But bring my father down here quickly."17

45:14 Then he threw himself on the neck of his brother Benjamin and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck. 45:15 He kissed all his brothers and wept over them. After this his brothers talked with him.

45:16 Now it was reported18 in the household of Pharaoh, "Joseph's brothers have arrived." It pleased19 Pharaoh and his servants. 45:17 Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Say to your brothers, `Do this: Load your animals and go20 to the land of Canaan! 45:18 Get your father and your households and come to me! Then I will give you21 the best land in Egypt and you will eat22 the best23 of the land.' 45:19 You are also commanded to say,24 `Do this: Take for yourselves wagons from the land of Egypt for your little ones and for your wives. Bring your father and come. 45:20 Don't worry25 about your belongings, for the best of all the land of Egypt will be yours.'"

45:21 So the sons of Israel did as he said.26 Joseph gave them wagons as Pharaoh had instructed,27 and he gave them provisions for the journey. 45:22 He gave sets of clothes to each one them,28 but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five sets of clothes.29 45:23 To his father he sent the following:30 ten donkeys loaded with the best products of Egypt and ten female donkeys loaded with grain, food, and provisions for his father's journey. 45:24 Then he sent his brothers on their way and they left. He said to them, "As you travel don't be overcome with fear."31

45:25 So they went up from Egypt and came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan.32 45:26 They told him, "Joseph is still alive and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt!" Jacob almost fainted,33 for he did not believe them. 45:27 But when they related to him everything Joseph had said to them,34 and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to transport him, their father Jacob's spirit revived. 45:28 Then Israel said, "Enough! My son Joseph is still alive! I will go and see him before I die."

The Family of Jacob goes to Egypt

46:1 So Israel began his journey, taking with him all that he had.1 When he came to Beersheba2 he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. 46:2 God spoke to Israel in a vision during the night3 and said, "Jacob, Jacob!" He replied, "Here I am!" 46:3 He said, "I am God,4 the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. 46:4 I will go down with you to Egypt and I myself will certainly bring you back from there.5 Joseph will close your eyes."6

46:5 Then Jacob started out7 from Beersheba, and the sons of Israel carried their father Jacob, their little children, and their wives in the wagons that Pharaoh had sent along to transport him. 46:6 Jacob and all his descendents took their livestock and the possessions they had acquired in the land of Canaan, and they went to Egypt.8 46:7 He brought with him to Egypt his sons and grandsons,9 his daughters and granddaughters--all his descendants.

46:8 These are the names of the sons of Israel who went to Egypt--Jacob and his sons:

46:26 All the direct descendents of Jacob who went to Egypt with him were sixty-six in number. (This number does not include the wives of Jacob's sons.)17 46:27 Counting the two sons18 of Joseph who were born to him in Egypt, all the people of the household of Jacob who were in Egypt numbered seventy.19

46:28 Jacob20 sent Judah before him to Joseph to accompany him to Goshen.21 So they came to the land of Goshen. 46:29 Joseph harnessed his chariot and went up to meet his father Israel in Goshen. When he met him,22 he hugged his neck and wept on his neck for quite some time.

46:30 Israel said to Joseph, "Now let me die, since I have seen your face and know that you are still alive."23 46:31 Then Joseph said to his brothers and his father's household, "I will go up and tell Pharaoh,24 "My brothers and my father's household who were in the land of Canaan have come to me. 46:32 The men are shepherds;25 they take care of livestock.26 They have brought their flocks and their herds and all that they have. 46:33 Pharaoh will summon you and say, `What is your occupation?' 46:34 Tell him, `Your servants have taken care of cattle27 from our youth until now, both we and our fathers,' so that you may live in the land of Goshen,28 for everyone who takes care of sheep is disgusting29 to the Egyptians."

Joseph's Wise Administration

47:1 Joseph went and told Pharaoh, "My father, my brothers, their flocks and herds, and all that they own have arrived from the land of Canaan. They are now1 in the land of Goshen." 47:2 He took five of his brothers and introduced them to Pharaoh.2

47:3 Pharaoh said to Joseph's3 brothers, "What is your occupation?" They said to Pharaoh, "Your servants take care of flocks, just as our ancestors did."4 47:4 Then they said to Pharaoh, "We have come to live as temporary residents5 in the land. There6 is no pasture for your servants' flocks because the famine is severe in the land of Canaan. So now, please let your servants live in the land of Goshen."

47:5 Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Your father and your brothers have come to you. 47:6 The land of Egypt is before you; settle your father and your brothers in the best region of the land. They may live in the land of Goshen. If you know of any highly capable men7 among them, put them in charge8 of my livestock."

47:7 Then Joseph brought in his father Jacob and presented him9 before Pharaoh. Jacob blessed10 Pharaoh. 47:8 Pharaoh said to Jacob, "How long have you lived?"11 47:9 Jacob said to Pharaoh, "All12 the years of my travels13 are one hundred and thirty. All14 the years of my life have been few and painful;15 the years of my travels are not as long as those of my ancestors."16 47:10 Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh and went out from his presence.17

47:11 So Joseph settled his father and his brothers. He gave them territory18 in the land of Egypt, in the best region of the land, the land of Rameses,19 just as Pharaoh had commanded. 47:12 Joseph also provided food for his father, his brothers, and all his father's household, according to the number of their little children.

47:13 But there was no food in all the land, because the famine was very severe; the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan wasted away20 because of the famine. 47:14 Joseph collected all the money that could be found in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan as payment21 for the grain they were buying. Then Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh's palace.22 47:15 When the money from the lands of Egypt and Canaan was used up, all the Egyptians23 came to Joseph and said, "Give us food! Why should we die24 before your very eyes because our money has run out?"

47:16 Then Joseph said, "If your money is gone, bring your livestock, and I will give you food25 in exchange for26 your livestock." 47:17 So they brought their livestock to Joseph, and Joseph gave them food in exchange for their horses, the livestock of their flocks and herds, and their donkeys.27 He got them through that year by giving them food in exchange for livestock.

47:18 When that year was over, they came to him the next year and said to him, "We cannot hide from our28 lord that the money is used up and the livestock and the animals belong to our lord. Nothing remains before our lord except our bodies and our land. 47:19 Why should we die before your very eyes, both we and our land? Buy us and our land in exchange for food, and we, with our land, will become29 Pharaoh's slaves.30 Give us seed that we may live31 and not die. Then the land will not become desolate." 32

47:20 So Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh. Each33 of the Egyptians sold his field, for the famine was severe.34 So the land became Pharaoh's. 47:21 Joseph35 made all the people slaves36 from one end of Egypt's border to the other end of it. 47:22 But he did not purchase the land of the priests, because the priests had an allotment from Pharaoh and they ate from their allotment that Pharaoh gave them. That is why they did not sell their land.

47:23 Joseph said to the people, "Since I have bought you and your land today for Pharaoh, here is seed for you. Cultivate37 the land. 47:24 When you gather in the crop,38 give39 one-fifth of it to Pharaoh, and the rest40 will be yours for seed for the fields and for you to eat, including those in your households and your little children." 47:25 They replied, "You have saved our lives! You are showing us favor,41 and we will be Pharaoh's slaves."42

47:26 So Joseph made it a statute,43 which is in effect44 to this day throughout the land of Egypt: one-fifth belongs to Pharaoh. Only the land of the priests did not become Pharaoh's.

47:27 Israel settled in the land of Egypt, in the land of Goshen, and they owned land there. They were fruitful and increased rapidly in number.

47:28 Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years; the years45 of Jacob's life were one hundred and forty-seven in all. 47:29 The time46 for Israel to die approached, so he called for his son Joseph and said to him, "If now I have found favor in your sight, put your hand under my thigh47 and show me kindness and faithfulness.48 Do not bury me in Egypt, 47:30 but when I rest49 with my fathers, carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burial place." Joseph50 said, "I will do as you say."

47:31 Jacob51 said, "Swear to me that you will do so."52 So Joseph53 gave him his word.54 Then Israel bowed down55 at the head of his bed.56

Manasseh and Ephraim

48:1After these things Joseph was told,1 "Your father is weakening." So he took his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim with him. 48:2 When Jacob was told,2 "Your son Joseph has just3 come to you," Israel regained strength and sat up on his bed. 48:3 Jacob said to Joseph, "The Sovereign God4 appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me. 48:4 He said to me, `I am going to make you fruitful5 and will multiply you.6 I will make you into a group of nations and I will give this land to your descendants7 as an everlasting possession.'8

48:5 "Now, as for your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, they will be mine.9 Ephraim and Manasseh will be mine just as Reuben and Simeon are. 48:6 Any children that you father10 after them will be yours; they will be listed11 under the names of their brothers in their inheritance.12 48:7 But as for me, when I was returning from Paddan, Rachel died--to my sorrow13--in the land of Canaan. It happened along the way, some distance from Ephrath. So I buried her there on the way to Ephrath" (that is, Bethlehem).

48:8 When Israel saw Joseph's sons, he asked, "Who are these?" 48:9 Joseph said to his father, "They are the14 sons God has given me in this place." His father15 said, "Bring them to me so I may bless them."16 48:10 Now Israel's eyes were failing17 because of his age; he was not able to see well. So Joseph18 brought his sons19 near to him, and his father20 kissed them and embraced them. 48:11 Israel said to Joseph, "I never expected21 to see you22 again, but now God has allowed me to see your children23 too."

48:12 So Joseph moved them from Israel's knees24 and bowed down with his face to the ground. 48:13 Joseph positioned them;25 he put Ephraim on his right hand across from Israel's left hand, and Manasseh on his left hand across from Israel's right hand. Then Joseph brought them closer to his father.26 48:14 Israel stretched out his right hand and placed it on Ephraim's head, although he was the younger.27 Crossing his hands, he put his left hand on Manasseh's head, for Manasseh was the firstborn.

48:17 When Joseph saw that his father placed his right hand on Ephraim's head, it displeased him.32 So he took his father's hand to move it from Ephraim's head to Manasseh's head. 48:18 Joseph said to his father, "Not so, my father, for this is the firstborn. Put your right hand on his head."

48:19 But his father refused and said, "I know, my son, I know. He too will become a nation and he too will become great. In spite of this, his younger brother will be even greater and his descendants will become a multitude33 of nations." 48:20 So he blessed them that day, saying,

So he put Ephraim before Manasseh.36

48:21 Then Israel said to Joseph, "I am about to die; but God will be with you37 and will bring you back to the land of your fathers. 48:22 As one who is above your38 brothers, I give to you the mountain slope,39 which I took from the Amorites with my sword and my bow."

The Blessing of Jacob

49:1 Jacob called for his sons and said, "Gather together so I can tell you1 what will happen to you in the future.2

49:28 These42 are the twelve tribes of Israel. This is what their father said to them when he blessed them. He gave each of them an appropriate blessing.43

49:29 Then he instructed them,44 "I am about to go45 to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite. 49:30 It is the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought for a burial plot from Ephron the Hittite. 49:31 There they buried Abraham and his wife Sarah; there they buried Isaac and his wife Rebekah; and there I buried Leah. 49:32 The field and the cave in it were acquired from the sons of Heth."46

49:33 When Jacob finished giving these instructions to his sons, he pulled his feet up onto the bed, breathed his last breath and went47 to his people.

The Burials of Jacob and Joseph

50:1 Then Joseph hugged his father's face.1 He wept over him and kissed him. 50:2 Joseph instructed the physicians in his service2 to embalm his father, so the physicians embalmed Israel. 50:3 They took forty days, for that is the full time for embalming.3 The Egyptians mourned4 for him seventy days.5

50:4 When the days of mourning6 had passed, Joseph said to Pharaoh's royal court,7 "If I have found favor in your sight, please say to Pharaoh,8 50:5 `My father made me swear an oath. He said,9 "I am about to die. Bury me10 in my tomb that I dug for myself there in the land of Canaan." Now let me go and bury my father; then I will return.'" 50:6 So Pharaoh said, "Go and bury your father, just as he made you swear to do."11

50:7 So Joseph went up to bury his father; all Pharaoh's officials went with him--the senior courtiers12 of his household, all the senior officials of the land of Egypt, 50:8 all Joseph's household, his brothers, and his father's household. But they left their little children and their flocks and herds in the land of Goshen. 50:9 Chariots and horsemen also went up with him, so it was a very large entourage.13

50:10 When they came to the threshing floor of Atad14 on the other side of the Jordan, they mourned there with very great and bitter sorrow.15 There Joseph observed a seven day period of mourning for his father. 50:11 When the Canaanites who lived in the land saw them mourning at the threshing floor of Atad, they said, "This is a very sad occasion16 for the Egyptians." That is why its name was called17 Abel Mizraim,18 which is beyond the Jordan.

50:12 So the sons of Jacob did for him just as he had instructed them. 50:13 His sons carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah, near Mamre. This is the field Abraham purchased as a burial plot from Ephron the Hittite. 50:14 After he buried his father, Joseph returned to Egypt, along with his brothers and all who had accompanied him to bury his father.

50:15 When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "What if Joseph bears a grudge and wants to repay19 us in full20 for all the harm21 we did to him?" 50:16 So they sent word22 to Joseph, saying, "Your father gave these instructions before he died: 50:17 `Tell Joseph this: Please forgive the sin of your brothers and the wrong they did when they treated you so badly.' Now please forgive the sin of the servants of the God of your father." When this message was reported to him, Joseph wept.23 50:18 Then his brothers also came and threw themselves down before him; they said, "Here we are; we are your slaves." 50:19 But Joseph answered them, "Don't be afraid. Am24 I in the place of God? 50:20 As for you, you meant to harm me,25 but God intended it for a good purpose, so he could preserve the lives of many people, as you can see this day.26 50:21 So now, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your little children." Then he consoled them and spoke kindly27 to them.

50:22 Joseph lived in Egypt, along with his father's family.28 Joseph lived one hundred and ten years. 50:23 Joseph saw the descendants of Ephraim to the third generation.29 He also saw the children of Makir the son of Manasseh; they were given special inheritance rights by Joseph.30

50:24 Then Joseph said to his brothers, "I am about to die. But God will surely come to you31 and lead you up from this land to the land he swore on oath to give32 to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." 50:25 Joseph made the sons of Israel swear an oath. He said, "God will surely come to you. Then you must carry my bones up from this place." 50:26 So Joseph died at the age of one hundred and ten.33 After they embalmed him, his body34 was placed in a coffin in Egypt.