15 Now that their father was no longer alive, Yosef’s brothers said to each other, “What if Yosef hates us and now he decides to repay us for all the evil things that we did to him?” 16 So they sent a messenger to Yosef to tell him, “Before he died, your father ordered that 17 you be given this message: ‘I beg you, please forgive your brothers’ crime and their sin, because they did evil things to you.’ So now, please forgive the crime of the servants of your father’s God.” When Yosef heard their message, he started crying.

18 Then his brothers also came and bowed to the ground in front of him and pleaded, “Here we are. We belong to you as slaves.”

19 “Don’t be afraid,” Yosef answered. “I’m not God and it’s not my job to decide on your punishment. 20 You all plotted evil things against me, but God intended it for good in order to do what he’s doing this very day: to save many people. 21 So now, don’t be afraid. I’ll support you and your little ones.” So he reassured them and he spoke kindly to them.