Joseph forgives his brothers

Jacob had twelve sons. He loved Joseph more than the others, and he gave Joseph a special robe. Joseph’s brothers were jealous.

Joseph had dreams that one day his family would bow down to him. When he told his brothers, they hated him even more.

One day the brothers were out in the fields with the sheep. When they saw Joseph coming, they threw him into an empty well. Then they sold him to traders going to Egypt.

In Egypt, Joseph worked hard. But someone told a lie about him, and he was put in prison. Even there, God was with Joseph.

One night the king of Egypt, called Pharaoh, had strange dreams. God helped Joseph explain them. Seven years of good harvests were coming, and then seven years with no food.

Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of all of Egypt. Joseph saved up grain during the good years.

When the hungry years came, Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt to buy food. They bowed down to Joseph. They did not know who he was.

Joseph tested them, and he saw they had changed. Then he cried and said, “I am Joseph, your brother.” He forgave them and hugged them.

Joseph told them, “You meant to hurt me, but God meant it for good, to keep many people alive.”