Therefore do not be afraid. I will provide for you and your little ones.” So Joseph reassured his brothers and spoke kindly to them.
Parallel translations
- WEB Now therefore don’t be afraid. I will nourish you and your little ones.” He comforted them, and spoke kindly to them.
- KJV Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.
- NKJV Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
- NASB So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
- NLT No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Joseph reassures his brothers and promises to provide for them and their children, speaking kindly.
Overview
Forgiveness issues in tangible kindness as Joseph pledges to nourish and comfort those who wronged him. His gracious words and provision embody the love that overcomes evil with good. Joseph mirrors the heart of God, who not only pardons but lavishes care upon His reconciled people.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- Gen 47:12Joseph also provided his father and brothers and all his father’s household with food for their families.
- 1 Pet 3:9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
- Gen 45:10–11You shall settle in the land of Goshen and be near me—you and your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and everything you own.
- Matt 5:44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
- 1 Th 5:15Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.
- Isa 40:2“Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her forced labor has been completed; her iniquity has been pardoned. For she has received from the hand of the LORD double for all her sins.”
- Rom 12:20–21On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
- Matt 6:14For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
- Gen 34:3And his soul was drawn to Dinah, the daughter of Jacob. He loved the young girl and spoke to her tenderly.
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Christ at the center
From the first promise that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent (3:15), through Abraham's blessing to all nations and Judah's coming ruler, Genesis sows every seed that flowers in Christ — the true offspring, the better Adam, the ram caught for Isaac.
How Genesis 50:21 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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