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The 37th Chapter
And Jacob dwelt in the land
wherein his father was a stranger, that is to say in the land of
Canaan. And these are the generations of Jacob: when Joseph was
seventeen years old, he kept sheep with his brethren, and the lad
was with the sons of Bilha and of Zilpha his fathers wives. And he
brought unto their father an evil saying that was of them. And
Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he begat him
in his old age, and he made him a coat of many colors.
When his brethren saw that their father loved him more than
all his brethren, they hated him and could not speak one kind word
unto him. Moreover Joseph dreamed a dream and told it his brethren:
wherefore they hated him yet the more. And he said unto them: hear I
pray you this dream which I have dreamed: Behold we were making
sheaves in the field: and lo, my sheaf arose and stood upright, and
yours stood round about and made obeisance to my sheaf. Then said
his brethren unto him: what, shalt thou be our king or shalt thou
reign over us? And they hated him yet the more, because of his dream
and of his words.
And he dreamed yet another dream and told it his brethren
saying: behold, I have had one dream more: me thought the *son and
the moon and eleven stars made obeisance to me. And when he had told
it unto his father and his brethren, his father rebuked him and said
unto him: what meaneth this dream which thou hast dreamed: shall I
and thy mother and thy brethren come and fall on the ground before
thee? And his brethren hated him, but his father noted the saying.
His brethren went to keep their fathers sheep in Sichem, and
Israel said unto Joseph: do not thy brethren keep in Sichem? come
that I may send thee to them. And he answered here am I. And he said
unto him: go and see whether it be well with thy brethren and the
sheep, and bring me word again. And sent him out of the vale of
Hebron, for to go to Sichem. And a certain man found him wandering
out of his way in the field, and asked him what he sought. And he
answered: I seek my brethren, tell me I pray thee where they keep
sheep. And the man said, they are departed here, for I heard them
say let us go unto Dothan. Thus went Joseph after his brethren, and
found them in Dothan.
And when they saw him afar off before he came at them, they
took counsel against him, for to slay him, and said one to another,
Behold this dreamer cometh, come now and let us slay him and cast
him into some pit, and let us say that some wicked beast hath
devoured him, and let us see what his dreams will come to.
When Ruben heard that, he went about to rid him out of their
hands and said, let us not kill him. And Ruben said moreover unto
them, shed not his blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the
wilderness, and lay no hands upon him: for he would have rid him out
of their hands and delivered him to his father again.
And as soon as Joseph was come unto his brethren, they
stripped him out of his gay coat that was upon him, and they took
him and cast him into a pit. But the pit was empty and had no water
therein. And they sat them down to eat bread. And as they lift up
their eyes and looked about, there came a company of Ismaelites from
Gilead, and their camels laden with spicery, balm, and myrrh, and
were going down into Egypt.
Then said Juda to his brethren, what availeth it that we slay
our brother, and keep his blood secret? come on, let us sell him to
the Ismaelites, and let not our hands be defiled upon him: for he is
our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content. Then as
the Madianites merchant men passed by, they drew Joseph out of the
pit and sold him unto the Ismaelites for twenty pieces of silver.
And they brought him into Egypt.
And when Ruben came again unto the pit and found not Joseph
there, he rent his clothes and went again unto his brethren saying:
the lad is not yonder, and whither shall I go? And they took Josephs
coat and killed a goat, and dipped the coat in the blood. And they
sent that gay coat and caused it to be brought unto their father and
said: This have we found: see, whether it be thy sons coat or no.
And he knew it saying: it is my sons coat: a wicked beast hath
devoured him, and Joseph is rent in pieces. And Jacob rent his
clothes, and put sack cloth about his loins, and sorrowed for his
son a long season. Then came all his sons and all his daughters to
comfort him. And he would not be comforted, but said: I will go down
into the grave unto my son, mourning. And thus his father wept for
him. And the Madianites sold him in Egypt unto Putiphar a lord of
Pharaos: and his chief marshal.
*son: sonne; is exactly the way it
appears in the original text, sun, spelled sunne; in middle English,
is used else where in the text.
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The 38th Chapter
And it fortuned at that time
that *Judas went from his brethren and gat him to a man called Hira
of Odollam, and there he saw the daughter of a man called Sua a
Cananite. And he took her and went in unto her. And she conceived
and bare a son and called his name Er. And she conceived again and
bare a son and called him Onan. And she conceived the third time and
bare a son, whom she called Sela: and he was at Chesib when she bare
him.
And Judas gave Er his eldest son, a wife whose name was Thamar.
But this Er Judas eldest son was wicked in the sight of the Lord,
wherefore the Lord slew him. Then said Judas unto Onan: go in to thy
brothers wife and marry her, and stir up seed unto thy brother. And
when Onan perceived that the seed should not be his: therefore when
he went in to his brothers wife, he spilled it on the ground,
because he would not give seed unto his brother. And the thing which
he did, displeased the Lord, wherefore he slew him also. Then said
Juda to Thamar his daughter in law: remain a widow at thy fathers
house, till Sela my son be grown: for he feared lest he should have
died also, as his brethren did. Thus went Thamar and dwelt in her
fathers house.
And in process of time, the daughter of Sua Judas wife died.
Then Judas when he had left mourning, went unto his sheep shearers
to Thimnath with his friend Hira of Odollam. And one told Thamar
saying: behold, thy father in law goeth up to Thimnath, to shear his
sheep. And she put her widows garments off from her and covered her
with a cloak, and disguised herself: And sat her down at the
entering of Enaim which is by the high ways side to Thimnath, for
because she saw that Sela was grown, and she was not given unto him
to wife.
When Juda saw her he thought it had been an whore, because she
had covered her face. And turned to her unto the way and said, come
I pray thee, let me lie with thee, for he knew not that it was his
daughter in law. And she said what wilt thou give me, for to lie
with me? Then said he, I will send thee a kid from the flock. She
answered, Then give me a pledge till thou send it. Then said he,
what pledge shall I give thee? And she said: thy signet, thy
bracelet, and thy staff that is in thy hand. And he gave it her and
lay by her, and she was with child by him. And she gat her up and
went and put her mantle from her, and put on her widows raiment
again. And Judas sent the kid by his neighbor of Odollam, for to
fetch out his pledge again from the wifes hand. But he found her
not. Then asked he the men of the same place saying: where is the
whore that sat at Enaim in the way? And they said: there was no
whore here. And he came to Juda again saying: I cannot find her, and
also the men of the place said: that there was no whore there. And
Juda said: let her take it to her, lest we be shamed: for I sent the
kid and thou couldest not find her.
And it came to pass that after three months, one told Juda
saying: Thamar thy daughter in law hath played the whore, and with
playing the whore is become great with child. And Juda said: bring
her forth and let her be burnt. And when they brought her forth, she
sent to her father in law saying: by the man unto whom these things
pertain, am I with child. And said also: look whose are this seal,
bracelet, and staff. And Juda knew them saying: she is more
righteous than I, because I gave her not to Sela my son. But he lay
with her no more.
When time was come that she should be delivered, behold there
was two twins in her womb. And as she travailed, the one put out his
hand and the midwife took and bound a red thread about it saying:
this will come out first. But he plucked his hand back again, and
his brother came out. And she said: wherefore hast thou rent a rent
upon thee? and called him Pharez. And afterward came out his brother
that had the red thread about his hand, which was called Zarah.
*Judas (exact spelling)
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The 39th Chapter
Joseph was
brought unto Egypt, and Putiphar a lord of Pharaos: and his chief
marshal an Egyptian, bought him of the Ismaelites which brought him
there. And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a lucky fellow and
continued in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master
saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he
did prosper in his hand: Wherefore he found grace in his masters
sight, and served him. And his master made him ruler of his house,
and put all that he had in his hand. And as soon as he had made him
ruler over his house and over all that he had, the Lord blessed this
Egyptians house for Josephs sake, and the blessing of the Lord was
upon all that he had: both in the house and also in the fields. And
therefore he left all that he had in Josephs hand, and looked upon
nothing that was with him, save only on the bread which he ate. And
Joseph was a goodly person and well favored. And it fortuned after
this, that his masters wife cast her eyes upon Joseph and said: come
lie with me. But he denied and said to her: Behold, my master knows
not what he hath in the house with me, but hath committed all that
he hath to my hand. He himself is not greater in the house than I,
and hath kept nothing from me, but only thee because thou art his
wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, for to sin against
God? And after this manner spake she to Joseph day by day: but he
hearkened not unto her, to sleep near her or to be in her company.
And it fortuned about the same season, that Joseph entered
into the house, to do his business: and there was none of the
household by, in the house. And she caught him by the garment
saying: come sleep with me. And he left his garment in her hand and
fled and got him out. When she saw that he had left his garment in
her hand, and was fled out, she called unto the men of the house,
and told them saying: See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to
do us shame: for he came in to me, for to have slept with me. But I
cried with a loud voice. And when he heard, that I lifted up my
voice and cried, he left his garment with me and fled away and got
him out.
And she laid up his garment by her, until her lord came home.
And she told him according to these words saying. This Hebrews
servant which thou hast brought unto us came in to me to do me
shame. But as soon as I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his
garment with me and fled out. When his master heard the words of his
wife which she told him saying: after this manner did thy servant to
me, he waxed wroth.
And he took Joseph and put him in prison: even in the place
where the kings prisoners lay bound. And there continued he in
prison, but the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and got
him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison which committed
to Josephs hand all the prisoners that were in the prison house. And
whatsoever was done there, that did he. And the keeper of the prison
looked unto nothing that was under his hand, because the Lord was
with him, and because that whatsoever he did, the Lord made it come
luckily to pass.
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The 40th Chapter
And it chanced after this, that
the chief butler of the king of Egypt and his chief baker had
offended their lord the king of Egypt. And Pharao was angry with
them and put them in ward in his chief marshals house: even in the
prison where Joseph was bound. And the chief marshal gave Joseph a
charge with them, and he served them. And they continued a season in
ward.
And they dreamed either of them in one night: both the butler
and the baker of the king of Egypt which were bound in the prison
house, either of them his dream, and each mans dream of a *sundry
interpretation. When Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and
looked upon them: behold, they were sad. And he asked them saying,
wherefore look ye so sadly today? They answered him, we have dreamed
a dream, and have no man to declare it. And Joseph said unto them.
Interpreting belongeth to God but tell me yet. And the chief butler
told his dream to Joseph and said unto him. In my dream methought
there stood a vine before me, and in the vine were three branches,
and it was as though it budded, and her blossoms shot forth: and the
grapes thereof waxed ripe. And I had Pharaos cup in my hand, and
took of the grapes and wrung them into Pharaos cup, and delivered
Pharaos cup into his hand. And Joseph said unto him, this is the
interpretation of it. The three branches are three days: for within
three days shall Pharao lift up thine head, and restore thee unto
thine office again, and thou shalt deliver Pharaos cup into his
hand, after the old manner, even as thou didest when thou was his
butler. But think on me with thee, when thou art in good case, and
shew mercy unto me. And make mention of me to Pharao, and help to
bring me out of this house: for I was stolen out of the land of the
Hebrews, and here also have I done nothing at all wherefore they
should have put me into this dungeon. When the chief baker saw that
he had well interpreted it, he said unto Joseph, me thought also in
my dream, that I had three wicker baskets on my head. And in the
uppermost basket of all manner bakemeats for Pharao. And the birds
ate them out of the basket upon my head.
Joseph answered and said: this is the interpretation thereof.
The three baskets are three days, for this day three days shall
Pharao take thy head from thee, and shall hang thee on a tree, and
the birds shall eat thy flesh from off thee.
And it came to pass the third day which was Pharaos birthday,
that he made a feast unto all his servants. And he lifted up the
head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants.
And restored the chief butler unto his butlership again, and he
reached the cup into Pharaos hand, and hanged the chief baker: even
as Joseph had interpreted unto them. Notwithstanding the chief
butler remembered not Joseph, but forgot him.
*sundry (various)
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The 41st Chapter
And it fortuned at two years
end, that Pharao dreamed, and thought that he stood by a rivers
side, and that there came out of the river seven goodly *kine and
fat fleshed, and fed in a meadow, and him thought that seven other
kine came up after them out of the river evil favored and lean
fleshed and stood by the other upon the brink of the river. And the
evil favored and lean fleshed kine: ate up the seven well favored
and fat kine: and he awoke therewith. And he slept again and dreamed
the second time, that seven ears of corn grew upon one stalk rank
and goodly. And that seven thin ears blasted with the wind, sprang
up after them: and that the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank
and full ears. And then Pharao awaked: and see, here is his dream.
When the morning came, his spirit was troubled. And he sent and
called for all the soothsayers of Egypt and all the wise men
thereof, and told them his dream: but there was none of them that
could interpret it unto Pharao. Then spake the chief butler unto
Pharao saying. I do remember my fault this day. Pharao was angry
with his servants, and put in ward in the chief marshals house both
me and the chief baker. And we dreamed both of us in one night and
each mans dream of a *sundry interpretation.
And there was with us a young man, an Hebrew born, servant
unto the chief marshal. And we told him, and he declared our dreams
to us according to either of our dreams. And as he declared them
unto us, even so it came to pass. I was restored to mine office
again, and he was hanged.
Then Pharao sent and called Joseph. And they made him haste
out of prison. And he shaved himself and changed his raiment, and
went in to Pharao. And Pharao said unto Joseph: I have dreamed a
dream and no man can interpret it, but I have heard say of thee that
as soon as thou hearest a dream, thou dost interpret it. And Joseph
answered Pharao saying: God shall give Pharao an answer of peace
without me. Pharao said unto Joseph: in my dream me thought I stood
by a rivers side, and there came out of the river seven fat fleshed
and well favored *kine, and fed in the meadow. And then seven other
kine came up after them, poor and very evil favored and lean
fleshed: so that I never saw their like in all the land of Egypt in
evil favoredness. And the seven lean and evil favored kine ate up
the first seven fat kine. And when they had eaten them up, a man
could not perceive that they had eaten them: for they were still as
evil favored as they were at the beginning. And I awoke. And I saw
again in my dream seven ears spring out of one stalk full and good,
and seven other ears withered, thin and blasted with wind, spring up
after them. And the thin ears devoured the seven good ears. And I
have told it unto the soothsayers, but no man can tell me what it
meaneth. Then Joseph said unto Pharao: both Pharaos dreams are one.
And God doth show Pharao what he is about to do. The seven good kine
are years: and the seven good ears are seven years also, and is but
one dream. Likewise, the seven thin and evil favored kine that came
out after them, are seven years: and the seven empty and blasted
ears shall be seven years of hunger. This is that which I said unto
Pharao, that God doth show Pharao what he is about to do.
Behold there shall come seven years of great plenteousness
throughout all the land of Egypt. And there shall arise after them
seven years of hunger. So that all the plenteousness shall be
forgotten in the land of Egypt. And the hunger shall consume the
land: so that the plenteousness shall not be once a seen in the land
by reason of that hunger that shall come after, for it shall be
exceeding great. And as concerning that the dream was doubled unto
Pharao the second time, it betokeneth that the thing is certainly
prepared of God, and that God will shortly bring it to pass.
Now therefore let Pharao provide for a man of understanding
and wisdom, and set him over the land of Egypt. And let Pharao make
officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of
Egypt in the seven plenteous years and let them gather all the food
of these good years that come, and lay up corn under the power of
Pharao: that there may be food in the cities, and there let them
keep it: that there may be food in store in the land, against the
seven years of hunger which shall come in the land of Egypt, and
that the land perish not through hunger.
And the saying pleased Pharao and all his servants. Then said
Pharao unto his servants: where shall we find such a man as this is,
that hath the spirit of God in him? wherefore Pharao said unto
Joseph: forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is no man
of understanding nor of wisdom like unto thee. Thou therefore shalt
be over my house, and according to thy word shall all my people
obey: only in the kings seat will I be above thee. And he said unto
Joseph: behold, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. And he
took off his ring from his finger, and put it upon Josephs finger,
and arrayed him in raiment of *byss, and put a golden chain about
his neck and set him upon the best chariot that he had save one. And
they cried before him Abrech, and that Pharao had made him ruler
over all the land of Egypt.
And Pharao said unto Joseph: I am Pharao, without thy will,
shall no man lift up either his hand or foot in all the land of
Egypt. And he called Josephs name Zaphnath Paenea. And he gave him
to wife Asnath the daughter of Putiphar priest of On. Then went
Joseph abroad in the land of Egypt. And he was thirty years old when
he stood before Pharao king of Egypt. And then Joseph departed from
Pharao, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.
And in the seven plenteous years they made sheaves and
gathered up all the food of the seven plenteous years which were in
the land of Egypt and put it into the cities. And he put the food of
the fields that grew round about every city: even in the same. And
Joseph laid up corn in store, like unto the sand of the sea in
multitude out of measure, until he left numbering: For it was
without number. And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years
of hunger came, which Asnath the daughter of Putiphar priest of On,
bare unto him. And he called the name of the first son Manasse, for
God (said he) hath made me forget all my labor and all my fathers
household. The second called he Ephraim, for God (said he) hath
caused me to grow in the land of my trouble.
And when the seven years of plenteousness that was in the land
of Egypt were ended, then came the seven years of *dearth, according
as Joseph had said. And the dearth was in all lands: but in the land
of Egypt was there yet food. When now all the land of Egypt began to
hunger, then cried the people to Pharao for bread. And Pharao said
unto all Egypt: go unto Joseph, and what he saith to you that do.
And when the *dearth was throughout all the land, Joseph opened all
that was in the cities, and sold unto the Egyptians. And hunger
waxed sore in the land of Egypt. And all countries came to Egypt to
Joseph for to buy corn: because that the hunger was so sore in all
lands.
*kine (cows) *sundry (various)
*byss (fine linen), *dearth (famine),
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Chapters 1-7 |
8-16 |
17-23 |
24-29 |
30-36 |
37-41 |
42-47 |
48-50
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