Genesis 37
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Joseph's Dreams

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1Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed, the land of Canaan.1Jacob lived in the land of his father’s sojournings, in the land of Canaan.1Now Jacob lived in the land where his father had sojourned, in the land of Canaan.1And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan.1Jacob lived in the land where his father had stayed, the land of Canaan.
2This is the account of Jacob's family line. Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them.2These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father.2These are the records of the generations of Jacob. Joseph, when seventeen years of age, was pasturing the flock with his brothers while he was still a youth, along with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives. And Joseph brought back a bad report about them to their father.2These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.2These are the family records of Jacob. At 17 years of age, Joseph tended sheep with his brothers. The young man was working with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives, and he brought a bad report about them to their father.
3Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate robe for him.3Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors.3Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons, because he was the son of his old age; and he made him a varicolored tunic.3Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours.3Now Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons because Joseph was a son born to him in his old age, and he made a robe of many colors for him.
4When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.4But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.4His brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers; and so they hated him and could not speak to him on friendly terms.4And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.4When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not bring themselves to speak peaceably to him.
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5Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more.5Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more.5Then Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more.5And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.5Then Joseph had a dream. When he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more.
6He said to them, "Listen to this dream I had:6He said to them, “Hear this dream that I have dreamed:6He said to them, "Please listen to this dream which I have had;6And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed:6He said to them, "Listen to this dream I had:
7We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it."7Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.”7for behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and lo, my sheaf rose up and also stood erect; and behold, your sheaves gathered around and bowed down to my sheaf."7For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.7There we were, binding sheaves of grain in the field. Suddenly my sheaf stood up, and your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.""
8His brothers said to him, "Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?" And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said.8His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.8Then his brothers said to him, "Are you actually going to reign over us? Or are you really going to rule over us?" So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.8And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.8Are you really going to reign over us?" his brothers asked him. "Are you really going to rule us?" So they hated him even more because of his dream and what he had said.
9Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. "Listen," he said, "I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me."9Then he dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, “Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.”9Now he had still another dream, and related it to his brothers, and said, "Lo, I have had still another dream; and behold, the sun and the moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me."9And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.9Then he had another dream and told it to his brothers. "Look," he said, "I had another dream, and this time the sun, moon, and 11 stars were bowing down to me."
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10When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, "What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?"10But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?”10He related it to his father and to his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, "What is this dream that you have had? Shall I and your mother and your brothers actually come to bow ourselves down before you to the ground?"10And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?10He told his father and brothers, but his father rebuked him. "What kind of dream is this that you have had?" he said. "Are your mother and brothers and I going to come and bow down to the ground before you?"
11His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.11And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.11His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.11And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.11His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.

Joseph Sold by his Brothers

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12Now his brothers had gone to graze their father's flocks near Shechem,12Now his brothers went to pasture their father’s flock near Shechem.12Then his brothers went to pasture their father's flock in Shechem.12And his brethren went to feed their father's flock in Shechem.12His brothers had gone to pasture their father's flocks at Shechem.
13and Israel said to Joseph, "As you know, your brothers are grazing the flocks near Shechem. Come, I am going to send you to them." "Very well," he replied.13And Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.” And he said to him, “Here I am.”13Israel said to Joseph, "Are not your brothers pasturing the flock in Shechem? Come, and I will send you to them." And he said to him, "I will go."13And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him, Here am I.13Israel said to Joseph, "Your brothers, you know, are pasturing the flocks at Shechem. Get ready. I'm sending you to them."" I'm ready," Joseph replied.
14So he said to him, "Go and see if all is well with your brothers and with the flocks, and bring word back to me." Then he sent him off from the Valley of Hebron. When Joseph arrived at Shechem,14So he said to him, “Go now, see if it is well with your brothers and with the flock, and bring me word.” So he sent him from the Valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.14Then he said to him, "Go now and see about the welfare of your brothers and the welfare of the flock, and bring word back to me." So he sent him from the valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.14And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.14Then Israel said to him, "Go and see how your brothers and the flocks are doing, and bring word back to me." So he sent him from the Valley of Hebron, and he went to Shechem.
15a man found him wandering around in the fields and asked him, "What are you looking for?"15And a man found him wandering in the fields. And the man asked him, “What are you seeking?”15A man found him, and behold, he was wandering in the field; and the man asked him, "What are you looking for?"15And a certain man found him, and, behold, he was wandering in the field: and the man asked him, saying, What seekest thou?15A man found him there, wandering in the field, and asked him, "What are you looking for?""
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16He replied, "I'm looking for my brothers. Can you tell me where they are grazing their flocks?"16“I am seeking my brothers,” he said. “Tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock.”16He said, "I am looking for my brothers; please tell me where they are pasturing the flock."16And he said, I seek my brethren: tell me, I pray thee, where they feed their flocks.16I'm looking for my brothers," Joseph said. "Can you tell me where they are pasturing their flocks?""
17"They have moved on from here," the man answered. "I heard them say, 'Let's go to Dothan.'" So Joseph went after his brothers and found them near Dothan.17And the man said, “They have gone away, for I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’” So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan.17Then the man said, "They have moved from here; for I heard them say, 'Let us go to Dothan.'" So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan.17And the man said, They are departed hence; for I heard them say, Let us go to Dothan. And Joseph went after his brethren, and found them in Dothan.17They've moved on from here," the man said. "I heard them say, 'Let's go to Dothan.'" So Joseph set out after his brothers and found them at Dothan.
18But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him.18They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him.18When they saw him from a distance and before he came close to them, they plotted against him to put him to death.18And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him.18They saw him in the distance, and before he had reached them, they plotted to kill him.
19"Here comes that dreamer!" they said to each other.19They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer.19They said to one another, "Here comes this dreamer!19And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh.19They said to one another, "Here comes that dreamer!
20"Come now, let's kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we'll see what comes of his dreams."20Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.”20"Now then, come and let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits; and we will say, 'A wild beast devoured him.' Then let us see what will become of his dreams!"20Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.20Come on, let's kill him and throw him into one of the pits. We can say that a vicious animal ate him. Then we'll see what becomes of his dreams!"
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21When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. "Let's not take his life," he said.21But when Reuben heard it, he rescued him out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.”21But Reuben heard this and rescued him out of their hands and said, "Let us not take his life."21And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him.21When Reuben heard this, he tried to save him from them. He said, "Let's not take his life."
22"Don't shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the wilderness, but don't lay a hand on him." Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father.22And Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him”—that he might rescue him out of their hand to restore him to his father.22Reuben further said to them, "Shed no blood. Throw him into this pit that is in the wilderness, but do not lay hands on him"-- that he might rescue him out of their hands, to restore him to his father.22And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again.22Reuben also said to them, "Don't shed blood. Throw him into this pit in the wilderness, but don't lay a hand on him"--intending to rescue him from their hands and return him to his father.
23So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe--the ornate robe he was wearing--23So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore.23So it came about, when Joseph reached his brothers, that they stripped Joseph of his tunic, the varicolored tunic that was on him;23And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him;23When Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped off his robe, the robe of many colors that he had on.
24and they took him and threw him into the cistern. The cistern was empty; there was no water in it.24And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.24and they took him and threw him into the pit. Now the pit was empty, without any water in it.24And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.24Then they took him and threw him into the pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.
25As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with spices, balm and myrrh, and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt.25Then they sat down to eat. And looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing gum, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry it down to Egypt.25Then they sat down to eat a meal. And as they raised their eyes and looked, behold, a caravan of Ishmaelites was coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing aromatic gum and balm and myrrh, on their way to bring them down to Egypt.25And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.25Then they sat down to eat a meal. They looked up, and there was a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were carrying aromatic gum, balsam, and resin, going down to Egypt.
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26Judah said to his brothers, "What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood?26Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood?26Judah said to his brothers, "What profit is it for us to kill our brother and cover up his blood?26And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood?26Then Judah said to his brothers, "What do we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood?
27Come, let's sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood." His brothers agreed.27Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him.27"Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh." And his brothers listened to him.27Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content.27Come, let's sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay a hand on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh," and they agreed.
28So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.28Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.28Then some Midianite traders passed by, so they pulled him up and lifted Joseph out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. Thus they brought Joseph into Egypt.28Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.28When Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for 20 pieces of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took Joseph to Egypt.
29When Reuben returned to the cistern and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes.29When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not in the pit, he tore his clothes29Now Reuben returned to the pit, and behold, Joseph was not in the pit; so he tore his garments.29And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes.29When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes.
30He went back to his brothers and said, "The boy isn't there! Where can I turn now?"30and returned to his brothers and said, “The boy is gone, and I, where shall I go?”30He returned to his brothers and said, "The boy is not there; as for me, where am I to go?"30And he returned unto his brethren, and said, The child is not; and I, whither shall I go?30He went back to his brothers and said, "The boy is gone! What am I going to do?"

Jacob Mourns Joseph

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31Then they got Joseph's robe, slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood.31Then they took Joseph’s robe and slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood.31So they took Joseph's tunic, and slaughtered a male goat and dipped the tunic in the blood;31And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood;31So they took Joseph's robe, slaughtered a young goat, and dipped the robe in its blood.
32They took the ornate robe back to their father and said, "We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son's robe."32And they sent the robe of many colors and brought it to their father and said, “This we have found; please identify whether it is your son’s robe or not.”32and they sent the varicolored tunic and brought it to their father and said, "We found this; please examine it to see whether it is your son's tunic or not."32And they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son's coat or no.32They sent the robe of many colors to their father and said, "We found this. Examine it. Is it your son's robe or not?"
33He recognized it and said, "It is my son's robe! Some ferocious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces."33And he identified it and said, “It is my son’s robe. A fierce animal has devoured him. Joseph is without doubt torn to pieces.”33Then he examined it and said, "It is my son's tunic. A wild beast has devoured him; Joseph has surely been torn to pieces!"33And he knew it, and said, It is my son's coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces.33His father recognized it. "It is my son's robe," he said. "A vicious animal has devoured him. Joseph has been torn to pieces!"
34Then Jacob tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and mourned for his son many days.34Then Jacob tore his garments and put sackcloth on his loins and mourned for his son many days.34So Jacob tore his clothes, and put sackcloth on his loins and mourned for his son many days.34And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.34Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth around his waist, and mourned for his son many days.
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35All his sons and daughters came to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. "No," he said, "I will continue to mourn until I join my son in the grave." So his father wept for him.35All his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted and said, “No, I shall go down to Sheol to my son, mourning.” Thus his father wept for him.35Then all his sons and all his daughters arose to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. And he said, "Surely I will go down to Sheol in mourning for my son." So his father wept for him.35And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him.35All his sons and daughters tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. "No," he said. "I will go down to Sheol to my son, mourning." And his father wept for him.
36Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh's officials, the captain of the guard.36Meanwhile the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard.36Meanwhile, the Midianites sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, Pharaoh's officer, the captain of the bodyguard.36And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, and captain of the guard.36Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and the captain of the guard.



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