45 Joseph could no longer restrain himself, and not wishing to humiliate his brothers before all his servants, he commanded the servants to leave him alone. When they departed, Joseph revealed himself to his brothers, 2 he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard and learned about it in Pharaoh's palace.

3"I am Joseph! – he said to his brothers. The brothers, seeing Joseph face to face, could not utter a word, but stood in a daze. 4"Come to me, then," he called to them. They approached. "I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt," he said. "5But now you need not be grieved and indignant with yourselves for having sold me, for it is God who has sent me hither beforehand to save your life." 6For two years there has been a famine throughout the land, and for another five years they will neither sow nor reap. 7And God sent me into this country before you, to preserve the remnant of his people on the earth, and to prolong your life by accomplishing great salvation.

8So it was not you who sent me hither, but God. And he made me chief counsellor of Pharaoh, lord of all his house, and ruler of all the land of Egypt. 9Now hasten to return to my father and tell him the words of his son Joseph: "God has made me ruler of all Egypt. Come to me as soon as possible! 10You will dwell in the land of Goshen[361] and you will be near me, yourself, your children and grandchildren, all your cattle, and all that you have. 11 There I will be able to take care of you, so that neither you nor those who live with you will fall into want and lose what you have, for there are still five years of famine ahead." 12You see for yourselves, and you, Benjamin, my brother, see that it is I, Joseph, who tell you all these things with my mouth. 13 So tell your father about my high position in Egypt, and about all that you have seen here, and bring my father hither quickly."

14 When he had said this, he threw himself on the neck of his brother Benjamin, and wept loudly. Benjamin also wept, embracing him. 15Without ceasing to weep, Joseph kissed all his brothers, who were only then able to speak.

16Word that Joseph's brothers had come reached Pharaoh's palace; The pharaoh and his courtiers were very happy about this. 17Pharaoh said to Joseph: "Tell your brothers what I have to say: 'This is what you must do now: Load your donkeys and hasten to Canaan. 18Take your father and your families and come to me. I will give you the best that is in the land of Egypt, and you will enjoy the blessings[362] of this land." 19And tell them again to take carts in Egypt for their children and wives and to bring their father here. 20Let them not regret their possessions that they leave there: the best that they have in Egypt will be with them."

21 The children of Israel did everything as they were told. And Joseph gave them wagons, as Pharaoh had commanded, and provisions for the journey. 22 And he gave each of them new garments, and to Benjamin he gave five new garments and three hundred pieces of silver. 23Joseph sent to his father ten donkeys loaded with the most splendid things of the land of Egypt, and ten donkeys loaded with grain, bread, and other provisions that his father might need on the journey. 24 And when he was sending the brothers on their way, he said to them: "Let no evil thoughts trouble you[364] on the way."

25So they left Egypt and came to Canaan to their father Jacob. 26When they said to him, "Joseph is alive! He rules all Egypt!" Jacob's heart sank, he did not believe them. 27 However, when they told his father all Joseph's words, and when he saw the wagons Joseph had sent to transport him, he was cheered. 28"As my son Joseph lives! Israel exclaimed. "What more could I want?" I will go and see him before my death."

Israel's Migration to Egypt

46 And Israel departed; he took with him all that he had,[366] and when he came to Beersheba, he performed a divine service: he offered sacrifices to God of his father Isaac. 2 That same night there was a vision to Israel, God speaking to them. "Jacob! Jacob!" – He called him. "Yes," replied James. 3 And it was said to him, "I am God, the God of your father! Do not be afraid to go into Egypt, for it is there that I am pleased to make your descendants[368] a great nation. 4I myself will go with you to Egypt, and in due time I myself will surely bring you, your great descendants, out of there. At the hour of your death Joseph will be with you, his hand will cover your eyes."

5Then Jacob left Beersheba. And the children of Israel, continuing their journey, carried their father Jacob, their little children, and their wives in carts, which Pharaoh had sent for their journey. 6Thus they came to Egypt with their cattle and the goods they had acquired in Canaan, Jacob and all his family with him. 7He brought with him to Egypt his sons and grandsons, daughters and granddaughters, all his descendants.

8These are the names of the children of Israel (Jacob and his descendants) who migrated to Egypt.

Jacob's firstborn son was Reuben.

9The sons of Reuben: Chanoh and Palluh, Hezrohn and Carmi.

10The sons of Simeon were Emuel and Yami, Ohad and Yahin, and Tzohar and Shaul (the son of the Canaanite woman).