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Joseph | Biography |
Here is an extract from the story of Joseph, taken from the Bible. The text is from the Contemporary English Version of the Bible (pictured left). To order your copy of this fresh, new version, click here for Amazon UK or US. |
The king's dreams
The king sent for Joseph, who was quickly brought out of jail. He shaved, changed his clothes, and went to the king.
The king said to him, "I had a dream, yet no one can explain what it means. I am told that you can interpret dreams."
"Your Majesty," Joseph answered, "I can't do it myself, but God can give a good meaning to your dreams."
The king told Joseph:
I dreamed I was standing on the bank of the Nile River. I saw seven fat, healthy cows come up out of the river, and they began feeding on the grass. Next, seven skinny, bony cows came up out of the river. I have never seen such terrible looking cows anywhere in Egypt. The skinny cows ate the fat ones. But you couldn't tell it, because these skinny cows were just as skinny as they were before. Right away, I woke up...
Joseph replied:
God has shown what he intends to do. For seven years Egypt will have more than enough grain, but that will be followed by seven years when there won't be enough. The good years of plenty will be forgotten, and everywhere in Egypt people will be starving...
Your Majesty, you should find someone who is wise and will know what to do, so that you can put him in charge of all Egypt...
The king and his officials liked this plan. So the king said to them, "No one could possibly handle this better than Joseph, since the Spirit of God is with him."
The king told Joseph, "God is the one who has shown you these things. No one else is as wise as you are or knows as much as you do. I'm putting you in charge of my palace, and everybody will have to obey you. No one will be over you except me. You are now governor of all Egypt!"
Then the king took off his royal ring and put it on Joseph's finger. He gave him fine clothes to wear and placed a gold chain around his neck. He also let him ride in the chariot next to his own, and people shouted, "Make way for Joseph!"
The Book of Genesis |
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