^{15 Ref} 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 Ref} And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying,

^{17 Ref} 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 Ref} And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants.

^{19 Ref} And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?

^{20 Ref} 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 Ref} Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.