3. Seven other cows came up from the river behind them. These cows were sickly and skinny. They stood behind the first seven cows on the riverbank.
4. The cows that were sickly and skinny ate the seven nice-looking, well-fed cows. Then Pharaoh woke up.
5. He fell asleep again and had a second dream. Seven good, healthy heads of grain were growing on a single stalk.
6. Seven other heads of grain, thin and scorched by the east wind, sprouted behind them.
7. The thin heads of grain swallowed the seven full, healthy heads. Then Pharaoh woke up. It was only a dream.
8. In the morning he was so upset that he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could tell him what they meant.
9. Then the chief cupbearer spoke to Pharaoh, “I remember a promise I failed to keep.
10. Some time ago when Pharaoh was angry with his servants, he confined me and the chief baker to the captain of the guard’s prison.
11. We both had dreams the same night. Each dream had its own meaning.
12. A young Hebrew, a slave of the captain of the guard, was with us. We told him our dreams, and he told each of us what they meant.
13. What he told us happened: Pharaoh restored me to my position, but he hung the baker on a pole.”
14. Then Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and immediately he was brought from the prison. After he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came in front of Pharaoh.
15. Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can tell me what it means. I heard that when you are told a dream, you can say what it means.”
16. Joseph answered Pharaoh, “I can’t, but God can give Pharaoh the answer that he needs.”
17. Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile.
18. Suddenly, seven nice-looking, well-fed cows came up from the river and began to graze among the reeds.
19. Seven other cows came up behind them. These cows were scrawny, very sick, and thin. I’ve never seen such sickly cows in all of Egypt!