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Genesis 50:15-21
New International Version
Genesis 50:15-21
New International Version
Joseph Reassures His Brothers
15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge(A) against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?”(B) 16 So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions(C) before he died: 17 ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins(D) and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’(E) Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.(F)” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.(G)
18 His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him.(H) “We are your slaves,”(I) they said.
19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?(J) 20 You intended to harm me,(K) but God intended(L) it for good(M) to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.(N) 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.(O)” And he reassured them and spoke kindly(P) to them.
Genesis 50:15-21
King James Version
Genesis 50:15-21
King James Version
15 And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him.
16 And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying,
17 So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.
18 And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants.
19 And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?
20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
21 Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.
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Genesis 50:15-21
New King James Version
Genesis 50:15-21
New King James Version
Joseph Reassures His Brothers
15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, (A)they said, “Perhaps Joseph will hate us, and may [a]actually repay us for all the evil which we did to him.” 16 So they sent messengers to Joseph, saying, “Before your father died he commanded, saying, 17 ‘Thus you shall say to Joseph: “I beg you, please forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin; (B)for they did evil to you.” ’ Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of (C)the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him.
18 Then his brothers also went and (D)fell down before his face, and they said, “Behold, we are your servants.”
19 Joseph said to them, (E)“Do not be afraid, (F)for am I in the place of God? 20 (G)But as for you, you meant evil against me; but (H)God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. 21 Now therefore, do not be afraid; (I)I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke [b]kindly to them.
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- Genesis 50:15 fully
- Genesis 50:21 Lit. to their hearts
Genesis 50:15-21
English Standard Version
Genesis 50:15-21
English Standard Version
God's Good Purposes
15 When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” 16 So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died: 17 ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of (A)the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18 His brothers also came and (B)fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” 19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for (C)am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but (D)God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people[a] should be kept alive, as they are today. 21 So do not fear; (E)I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
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- Genesis 50:20 Or a numerous people
New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.