16. So they sent a message to Joseph. It said, “Your father gave this command before he died.
17. He said to us, ‘You have done wrong. You have sinned and done evil to Joseph. Tell Joseph to forgive you, his brothers.’ So now, Joseph, we beg you to forgive our wrong. We are the servants of the God of your father.” When Joseph received the message, he cried.
18. And his brothers went to him and bowed low before him. They said, “We are your slaves.”
19. Then Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Can I do what only God can do?
20. You meant to hurt me. But God turned your evil into good. It was to save the lives of many people. And it is being done.
21. So don’t be afraid. I will take care of you and your children.” So Joseph comforted his brothers and spoke kind words to them.
22. Joseph continued to live in Egypt with all his father’s family. He died when he was 110 years old.
23. During Joseph’s life Ephraim had children and grandchildren. And Joseph’s son Manasseh had a son named Makir. Joseph accepted Makir’s children as his own.
24. Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die. But God will take care of you. He will lead you out of this land. He will lead you to the land he promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”
25. Then Joseph had the sons of Israel make a promise. He said, “Promise me that you will carry my bones with you out of Egypt.”