Joseph Reassures His Brothers That He Has Forgiven Them

50:15-21

15 Now that their father was no longer alive, Joseph’s brothers were worried and said to each other, ”If Joseph is angry at us for the terrible way that we treated him, he might punish us severely for what we did.” 16 So they sent a messenger to Joseph to tell him, “Before our father died, he told us 17 to ask you to please forgive us, your brothers, for sinning against you and treating you so badly. So then, as servants of God whom our father worshiped, we beg you to forgive us for sinning against you.” When Joseph heard his brothers’ message to him, he was very sad and cried. 18 Then his brothers came to him, prostrated themselves before him to show respect, and said to him, “Here we are, we will be your servants!” 19 But Joseph replied to them, “You do not need to be afraid. After all, I am not God! So I have no right to punish you. 20 It is true that you planned to harm me, but God is using that to benefit us all. Right now he is doing what he planned, to keep many people from dying. 21 So then, you do not need to be afraid. I myself will provide everything that you and your children need.” In that way, Joseph assured them that he had forgiven them, and he also said other things to encourage them.