17. ‘This is what you should say to Joseph, “I’m begging you to forgive the crime and the sin your brothers committed against you. What they did to you was very evil.”’ So now, please forgive our crime, because we are servants of your father’s God.” Joseph cried when he got their message.
18. Then his brothers also came and immediately bowed down in front of him. “We are your slaves!” they said.
19. Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid! I can’t take God’s place.
20. Even though you planned evil against me, God planned good to come out of it. This was to keep many people alive, as he is doing now.
21. Don’t be afraid! I will provide for you and your children.” In this way he reassured them, setting their minds at ease.
22. Joseph and his father’s family stayed in Egypt. Joseph lived to be 110 years old.
23. He saw his grandchildren, Ephraim’s children. Even the children of Machir, son of Manasseh, were adopted by Joseph at birth.
24. At last Joseph said to his brothers, “I’m about to die. God will definitely take care of you and take you out of this land to the land he swore with an oath to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”
25. Joseph made Israel’s sons swear an oath. He said, “God will definitely take care of you. So be sure to carry my bones back with you.”
26. Joseph died when he was 110 years old. His body was embalmed and placed in a coffin in Egypt.