15. But now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful. “Now Joseph will show his anger and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him,” they said.
16. So they sent this message to Joseph: “Before your father died, he instructed us
17. to say to you: ‘Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you—for their sin in treating you so cruelly.’ So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive our sin.” When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept.
18. Then his brothers came and threw themselves down before Joseph. “Look, we are your slaves!” they said.
19. But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you?