25. Joseph said to the king, “The two dreams mean the same thing; God has told you what he is going to do.
26. The seven fat cows are seven years, and the seven full ears of corn are also seven years; they have the same meaning.
27. The seven thin cows which came up later and the seven thin ears of corn scorched by the desert wind are seven years of famine.
28. It is just as I told you — God has shown you what he is going to do.
29. There will be seven years of great plenty in all the land of Egypt.
30. After that, there will be seven years of famine, and all the good years will be forgotten, because the famine will ruin the country.
31. The time of plenty will be entirely forgotten, because the famine which follows will be so terrible.
32. The repetition of your dream means that the matter is fixed by God and that he will make it happen in the near future.
33. “Now you should choose some man with wisdom and insight and put him in charge of the country.
34. You must also appoint other officials and take a fifth of the crops during the seven years of plenty.
35. Order them to collect all the food during the good years that are coming, and give them authority to store up corn in the cities and guard it.
36. The food will be a reserve supply for the country during the seven years of famine which are going to come on Egypt. In this way the people will not starve.”
37. The king and his officials approved this plan,