20. So Joseph bought all the land in Egypt for the king. Every Egyptian sold Joseph his field, because the hunger was very great. So the land became the king’s.
21. And Joseph made the people slaves from one end of Egypt to the other.
22. The only land he did not buy was the land the priests owned. They did not need to sell their land because the king paid them for their work. So they had money to buy food.
23. Joseph said to the people, “Now I have bought you and your land for the king. So I will give you seed. And you can plant your fields.
24. At harvest time you must give one-fifth to the king. You may keep four-fifths for yourselves. Use it as seed for the field and as food for yourselves, your families and your children.”
25. The people said, “You have saved our lives. If you like, we will become slaves of the king.”
26. So Joseph made a law in Egypt, which continues today: One-fifth of everything from the land belongs to the king. The only land the king did not get was the priests’ land.
27. The Israelites continued to live in the land of Goshen in Egypt. There they got possessions. They had many children and grew in number.
28. Jacob, also called Israel, lived in Egypt 17 years. So he lived to be 147 years old.
29. Israel knew he soon would die. So he called his son Joseph to him. He said to Joseph, “If you love me, put your hand under my leg. Promise me you will not bury me in Egypt.
30. When I die, carry me out of Egypt. Bury me where my ancestors are buried.”Joseph answered, “I will do as you say.”
31. Then Jacob said, “Promise me.” And Joseph promised him that he would do this. Then Israel worshiped as he leaned on the top of his walking stick.