16. So they sent this message to Joseph:Before our father died,
17. he told us, “You did some cruel and terrible things to Joseph, but you must ask him to forgive you.”Now we ask you to forgive the terrible things we did. After all, we serve the same God that your father worshipped.When Joseph heard this, he started crying.
18. At once, Joseph's brothers came and bowed down to the ground in front of him and said, “We are your slaves.”
19. But Joseph told them, “Don't be afraid! I have no right to change what God has decided.
20. You tried to harm me, but God made it turn out for the best, so that he could save all these people, as he is now doing.
21. Don't be afraid! I will take care of you and your children.” After Joseph said this, his brothers felt much better.
22. Joseph lived in Egypt with his brothers until he died at the age of one hundred and ten.
23. Joseph lived long enough to see Ephraim's children and grandchildren. He also lived to see the children of Manasseh's son Machir, and he welcomed them into his family.
24. Before Joseph died, he told his brothers, “I won't live much longer. But God will take care of you and lead you out of Egypt to the land he promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
25. Now promise me that you will take my body with you when God leads you to that land.”
26. So Joseph died in Egypt at the age of one hundred and ten; his body was embalmed and put in a coffin.