15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “aWhat if Joseph bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong which we did to him!”

16 So they 1sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father charged before he died, saying,

17 ‘Thus you shall say to Joseph, “Please forgive, I beg you, the transgression of your brothers and their sin, for they did you wrong.” ’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him.

18 Then his brothers also came and afell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.”

19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place?

20 “As for you, ayou meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about 1this present result, to preserve many people alive.

21 “So therefore, do not be afraid; aI will provide for you and your little ones.” So he comforted them and spoke 1kindly to them.