Introduction

Greetings! We now turn to the forty-first chapter of Genesis. The narrative from Abraham to Joseph in Genesis becomes increasingly compelling. This chapter articulates God's will clearly: "God causes me to prosper in the place of my affliction." Whether this theme is entirely perfect is debatable, but I used this title the last time I preached on it because the concept of prosperity is exceedingly important.

God's Will is Prosperity

If you carefully observe the people in the Bible whom God favors, we need not say that everyone is absolutely so, but at least we must have some statistical sense. In daily life, many things involve statistics, such as per capita GDP and the quality of education. In the Bible's depiction of those whom God favors, very few are found to be utterly destitute. There might be one or two Lazaruses, but since God created the heavens and the earth, though Abel was killed, his flocks were very prosperous.

Otherwise, his brother Cain would not have been consumed by jealousy and shed human blood. Noah, too, must have been a very wealthy man to build a large ark in that era; it could not have been done without money. From the time God created Adam, He told him to be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it; that is prosperity. When Noah came out of the ark, God repeated the same message, also desiring him to prosper.

Now, Joseph also prospers; God's will is prosperity, which has never changed. The same is true of David and Solomon. Even after Israel was destroyed, Daniel became the prime minister of Babylon. The accounts of prosperity in the Bible almost always occur with those whom God favors; each of them saw God causing them to prosper. Joseph even more so. So, whether you believe it or not, God's will is to cause people to prosper, and it never changes.

Whether you have suffered or not, you will eventually prosper. Those who prosper after suffering, like Joseph. Those who prosper without suffering, like Solomon. In any case, prosperity never changes! So, brothers and sisters, let us begin to ponder: if a preacher is utterly destitute, it does not seem very much like Joseph. Because deep down, there is a belief that as long as one suffers poverty, he believes God causes people to be poor, that God's will is to cause people to be poor.

I once met a pastor who was utterly destitute, and he lamented that he was so poor that all he had left was spirituality. This implied that although he was poor, he was very spiritual. People think that poverty is spiritual and wealth is not, but this is not true. Everyone must believe that God's will is prosperity. Later, I met someone with millions who wanted to start a business, hoping to earn a lot of money to support some preachers.

Among us, those who have a little money must not be mistaken. Let me remind you, do not help these poor preachers. The reason is simple: preachers are easily cursed, including myself. If you want to help someone who is cursed through money, it is better to give him a wealthy mindset, letting him know that God's will is prosperity. I have met some preachers who exude a sense of poverty in their words. Joseph suffered much in Egypt, but his belief that God would cause him to prosper and his faith in God never wavered.

Some people think poverty is good, describing their poverty as reasonable. Some people also think being sick is reasonable, but I never describe being sick as reasonable. Someone might say, "Don't you get sick too?" That is because I have not aligned myself correctly. Getting sick is normal, and I am not a model of holiness. Isn't that easy to understand? Simply put, sickness is not God's will; health is God's will, prosperity is God's will, but poverty is definitely not God's will. If any of you are blessed financially, you owe me a favor, and even more so, you owe Jesus a great, great favor.

You must know that there are not many who preach this concept of prosperity. Even when I was utterly destitute, I still believed that God's will is prosperity, so today, I am prospering. The most fatal thing is to be poor in one's core, which is very frightening. If you are poor in your core, you should deal with what is inside and establish the belief that God's will is prosperity. When I say that being blessed financially is good, many people will say that is the prosperity gospel. Although I do not quite know what the prosperity gospel is, it sounds better than the failure gospel. A theology of prosperity is good; a theology of living meagerly is not good.

I want to say that prospering in the place of suffering is very miraculous. Look at Joseph, who was not even his own person, and yet he was able to prosper. Isn't that miraculous? Joseph's situation was so dire, and yet he was able to turn it around. Your situation should not be that difficult, right? The difficulty lies in whether you have God's presence. Once you suffer, you begin to discern good and evil, and you lose God's presence. There was a pastor who gave a "testimony" on stage, but it did not sound like a testimony at all. He lived by relying on people inviting him to preach and collecting love offerings. Such people are called "free preachers," living by preaching.

I have reservations about this practice. A pastor's responsibility should not be just preaching. If one does not shepherd, can he be called a pastor? He thinks preaching is shepherding, but who raises a child by ignoring the child's hunger and wet diapers, only preaching to the child's ears every day? Shepherding is like raising a child; one must take care of eating, drinking, and elimination. Of course, I do not know if this view is one-sided, but I know that God's will is prosperity, and my job is to put the concept of prosperity in everyone's mind.

This free preacher's testimony was that he loved to eat sausage, but he had not eaten it for a long time because he had no money to buy it. As a result, the next morning, he opened the door and saw a string of his favorite brand of sausage hanging on the door. After listening, I carefully pondered and felt that something was not right. Being so poor that one cannot afford sausage is upsetting, but the concept it conveys is even more corrupting, giving people the idea that someone serving God might be so poor that he cannot even afford sausage. The concept I convey is that God's will is prosperity. Many people are afraid to convey this concept because as soon as they do, someone will say it is the prosperity gospel.

Everyone, do not forget that it is only by believing in prosperity in the place of suffering that one will prosper. To believe that poverty is spiritual as soon as one suffers is very corrupting. Poverty and wealth have nothing to do with being spiritual or unspiritual. However, a person's long-term financial poverty definitely does not seem like a spiritual good thing. So, I like to ask people how their financial situation is lately. I ask not because I care about how much money you have, nor do I want your money. I just want to see if you have prospered a little because God's will is prosperity, and prosperity is unshakable. We must always believe. Someone might say, "What if I am not prospering yet?" Then carry the logic that even if you are not prospering now, you will prosper after death. This is called faith.

Prospering in the Place of Suffering

Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt for ten years, and then he was imprisoned for three years. He suffered and was wronged; he truly had no way to express his bitterness. Joseph only wanted to represent his father Jacob to visit his brothers and see how they were herding sheep, but he was sold into Egypt. If he had known, he would not have come to see these brothers. Being sold into Egypt with his hands tied on a camel, walking step by step, no one cared whether he was thirsty or hungry because he was a slave, just like leading a beast of burden to be sold in the slave market. In this situation, would anyone still believe that God's will is prosperity? If you believe, you are Joseph. I always believe that God's will is prosperity, and suffering is extraordinary.

A rich second-generation who has plenty of money at home and reaches out to his family for money cannot be called prosperous. Prosperity has little to do with him; it is his father who is prosperous. Do you believe that God's will is prosperity when you are suffering? Today, perhaps you have not yet prospered. Maybe you have not been sold into Egypt or imprisoned; you are still a free person. Your situation is probably always much better than Joseph's. At least you are not a slave; a slave is not even his own person. But Joseph still believed that God's will is prosperity, prospering in the place of suffering.

If Joseph suddenly remembered that his brothers had sold him into slavery in Egypt, and he did not know when he would see his father again, he would feel very bitter. His father did not know where he was or where to find him. Even if he found him, could his father afford to buy him back? Just thinking about it made him feel miserable. A person with faith will have God's presence and believe that God causes us to prosper. Even if one is a slave, he can prosper. Nothing is impossible with God. Not only believe that God causes us to prosper, but also believe that being sold into slavery in Egypt is God's doing.

So, Joseph's entire situation turned around, and he became the prime minister of Egypt, relying on interpreting dreams, God's presence, and God's Spirit dwelling in him. As the prime minister of Egypt, he was second only to Pharaoh, above all others. Not only had he been the supervisor in Potiphar's house, but now he was the supervisor of all of Egypt. Even Potiphar and his wife were terrified when they saw that the slave they had thrown into prison had become the prime minister.

However, Joseph did not dwell on the past and did not plan to take revenge. When he was thrown into prison, he thought he was fortunate that they had put him in prison. Here, I want to emphasize that Joseph did not take being in prison seriously because he knew it was all God's arrangement. So, he did not hate Potiphar and his wife; God was in control. Joseph interpreted the dream for the chief cupbearer, and after the chief cupbearer was restored to his position, he forgot about Joseph. Joseph spent another two years in prison, but he did not blame the chief cupbearer. Joseph did not hate his brothers for selling him into Egypt. He felt bitter when he thought about it, but he relied on faith to deal with the uncomfortable feelings.

Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s house.” (Genesis 41:51)

So, when he had his first son, he named him Manasseh, God made him forget his suffering.

The second son he named Ephraim and said, “God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.” (Genesis 41:52)

When he had his second son, the name was better than the first son's name. The first one only forgot the pain, the second one believed in prospering in the place of suffering!

Naming is important. Ephraim is ranked above Manasseh because one is called forgetting the pain, and the other is called prospering in the place of suffering! Let's all be named Ephraim, because we still believe we will prosper in the place of suffering. How to prosper is God's doing! Crisis is always an opportunity, running forward with hope and faith, and never lose God's presence. It is easy to lose God's presence. Once you blame Potiphar and his wife, or blame his brothers, God's presence is gone.

Among us, there are people who have lost God's presence, blaming God, blaming the environment. This is called discerning good and evil. Once a person eats the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, God's presence is gone. During the COVID-19 pandemic, some people contracted COVID-19, and all they thought about was that they might have contracted it because they came into contact with this or that. If you believe that God is in control, you do not need to blame who you came into contact with. If you have spiritual vision, you do not need to fear the COVID-19 virus.

Our brothers and sisters, perhaps you are suffering, but is the suffering you are enduring because of a curse or because of a heavenly vision, a heavenly dream? If it is suffering because of a curse, it is the curse brought about by discerning good and evil. Turning back from discerning good and evil, there is always an opportunity. Whenever you turn back, God will revisit you. Our God is so good!

Some people shirk responsibility when they encounter problems, blaming God. Sometimes they dare not blame God, so they blame the moon, blaming this and that. We will never again push responsibility onto others, but have faith, believing that God's will is prosperity, that is, prospering in the place of suffering! Believing in the midst of suffering is true faith. Not believing as soon as one suffers or encounters problems is not faith.

No Suffering Can Cause Us to Lose God's Presence

David and Joseph are two models of refusing to discern good and evil. These two people are very powerful. For example, when David was being pursued and finally had the opportunity to kill Saul, he did not kill him because he did not blame Saul for pursuing him. He knew that God's will was for him to be the king of Israel in the future, and the suffering he was experiencing today could not cause him to lose God's presence. We must prepare ourselves to be overcomers!

Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt, but he could not lose God's presence. As a result, although he had God's presence, the suffering had not yet passed. But he clearly saw God's presence, and God blessed what Joseph did. Whether you are a slave or a prisoner, or anything else, it is the same. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul said that some people were still slaves when they first believed. They asked the Apostle Paul if anyone could redeem them. The Apostle Paul said that it was good for them to be slaves. If they were slaves when they believed, they should continue to be slaves. There was no problem. If you think that God cannot be with you if you are a slave, and God will be with you if you are not a slave, then you are mistaken. The Bible does not say that.

No environment, no suffering, no state can cause us to lose God's presence. God's presence has nothing to do with these things. If you have God's presence, you can be a good slave. If you are a cleaning lady, you can also have God's presence. Some people feel that they are not noble if they are cleaning ladies. In fact, one can be a very noble slave, and a cleaning lady can also be a very noble cleaning lady. No environment can cause us to lose God's presence.

Everyone must begin to prepare themselves. God's presence has nothing to do with these things. Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt, but he still had God's presence, so everything he did was blessed. It did not matter that he was a prisoner. Many people thought he had made a big mistake, but there was no problem at all. Some people thought that Joseph was a prisoner because he had offended God, and offended Him deeply, but it had nothing to do with that. One can be a very spiritual slave or a very worldly slave.

Whether or not one loves God very much, he may become a prisoner. Later, the Apostle Paul suffered a lot in the process of preaching the gospel and establishing churches, and many people's interpretations were very confused. They felt that he suffered so much because God was not with him, which was nonsense. David clearly had God's presence and protection on the run, and Joseph clearly had God's presence as a slave and a prisoner. Everyone must know never to underestimate themselves. God will not forget us. Even if people forget you, it does not matter; God is in control. Later, Joseph did not blame the chief cupbearer when he became the prime minister. In fact, the chief cupbearer was also under Joseph's management.

Some time later, Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing by the Nile, when out of the river there came up seven cows, sleek and fat, and they grazed among the reeds. After them, seven other cows, ugly and gaunt, came up out of the Nile and stood beside those on the riverbank. And the cows that were ugly and gaunt ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up. He fell asleep again and had a second dream: Seven heads of grain, healthy and good, were growing on a single stalk. After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted—thin and scorched by the east wind. The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads. Then Pharaoh woke up; it had been a dream. In the morning his mind was troubled, so he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him. (Genesis 41:1-8)

Pharaoh had a dream after Joseph repeatedly refused to discern good and evil. And no one but Joseph could interpret this dream because the dream was also given by God. God gave Pharaoh this dream to prepare Joseph to become the prime minister of Egypt. How good it is that God causes people to prosper!

So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh. Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” (Genesis 41:14-15)

Some Christians say that one cannot be the prime minister of Egypt because Pharaoh worships idols, and one cannot be his prime minister. This is all confused. Being the prime minister of Egypt does not affect loving God well. Pharaoh had a dream, and he brought Joseph out of the prison, washed him, and brought him before Pharaoh. After a conversation, the Egyptian Pharaoh obtained Joseph as if he had found a treasure. He obtained a very wise man, with God's Spirit dwelling in him, able to foresee the future, because a person with faith can foresee the future.

Joseph persisted through 13 years of suffering, and it was all tears. 13 years of refining and persistence is not easy. He finally came out of the prison. Time and time again, he would fall into discerning good and evil if he was not careful. Every time he fell into discerning good and evil, he would be very painful, and he had to quickly get out of the pain. So, brothers and sisters, know that suffering cannot separate us from God's presence, nor can suffering cause us to lose God's presence. Only discerning good and evil can cause us to lose God's presence.

You must believe that these 13 years are the best training. David fled for 13 years, from the age of 17 to 30. It is very similar to Joseph. Joseph was a slave and a prisoner from the age of 17 until he became the prime minister of Egypt at the age of 30. So, brothers and sisters, the later ending is more important than the previous experience. Through these 13 years of training, Joseph became very experienced and mature. This kind of experience is difficult to train in the classroom. God has prepared such a classroom for us.

Believe That God is in Control of Everything

Everything is in God's control. You must either be people who please God, believing that God is in control of everything, regardless of the circumstances. Know that not believing that God is in control of everything is a tragedy. For example, when speaking in tongues, some people say you must be careful, lest evil spirits come when you seek tongues. When casting out demons, be careful, they say, for you are casting out demons by the prince of demons. What an insult to God that is! If a person blasphemes against Jesus, can he be forgiven? Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit cannot be forgiven; this is a very serious matter. Why not believe that God can control everything? Can God not control people's tongues? If God cannot even control prayer in tongues, can you still believe in God? That is absolutely wrong.

Actually, it is normal to experience some things, but in the process of experiencing them, continue to believe that God is in control of everything. Joseph could only forget his pain by believing that God was in control of everything; everything he experienced was directed by God. If we have done something wrong and discerned good and evil, we must quickly repent, because those who discern good and evil will surely be cursed. If a person has really done nothing wrong and suffers, is wronged by others, do not be afraid. We know very well whether we have sinned against God or whether we are about to experience some trials. If you have sinned, repent properly; if you have not sinned, continue to believe that God is in control of everything.

I have Joseph's character in me; I have experienced a lot, but nothing can take away my trust in God. I believe that God is in control of everything, and I believe that God makes people prosper. Whether it was Pharaoh's dream, or Joseph's brothers selling him into slavery in Egypt, or his being framed by his mistress and imprisoned, going from a slave to a prisoner, all were under God's control. Meeting the chief cupbearer and the chief baker in prison was also under God's control. Could God not direct a dream for Pharaoh to have? Yes, at this time, everything is in God's control.

"And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass. Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine." (Genesis 41:32-36)

Joseph suggested to Pharaoh to find a man of intelligence and wisdom to manage this matter. As a result, Pharaoh thought about it, looked at his subordinates and ministers, and each one was a "good-for-nothing," unable to interpret Pharaoh's dream and unable to bear this important task. He disliked those ministers and magicians. Looking back at Joseph, he was handsome and clever, and he explained things clearly and had a thorough understanding. The Egyptian Pharaoh was quite remarkable, and he could see that the Spirit of God dwelt in Joseph.

How can you see that? Actually, you can't see it; it's just that a thought suddenly pops into your head that this young man has the Spirit of God within him. In fact, this is all in God's control. Pharaoh said to his ministers, "This man has God within him; he is the most suitable for this position." He forgot that Joseph was a prisoner who had just come out of prison, forgot that he used to be a slave, and did not investigate his background and past history. He just liked Joseph no matter how he looked at him; this matter is quite remarkable.

Actually, when looking for a job, you must trust in God. When the time comes, you won't know why the interviewer likes you. Even if other interviewees are better than you in all aspects, the interviewer feels annoyed when looking at them. One of our sisters was just promoted, and she doesn't have a university background. Her colleague, who has a university degree but was not promoted, went to the boss, and the boss was also surprised why he didn't promote her in the first place. But he just felt that our sister was pleasing to the eye. Where can you reason with that? So, when you have an interview, manage the feeling of the moment well. If the interviewer feels good, won't it be successful? God can definitely control the other person's feelings towards you!

"And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants. And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt." (Genesis 41:37-41)

When Pharaoh and his servants saw this, they were all stunned. From then on, Joseph became the prime minister of Egypt. It is really wonderful to have God's presence! From today onwards, when you encounter things, never ask God why this is so, why it is unfair. There is no why; God likes it as it is, and we are not qualified to ask. You cannot say why God made you this way; some people are made into noble wine glasses, and some people are made into chamber pots. Asking questions will only make things worse.

So, what do you think brought Joseph good opportunities? Joseph's faith! He believed that God was in control of everything and never complained. There was a sick pastor who was diagnosed with cancer in his thirties. He hadn't been a pastor for long, so why did he get cancer? Later, he went to the hospital for treatment and asked God every day why he had this disease. I wouldn't ask, and I never ask God why I haven't gotten better yet; I will definitely get better.

If some of us like to ask this kind of question, we need to change. God is qualified to create us this way, and we are not qualified to ask. We will just believe well that God makes us prosper, that God makes us prosper in the place of suffering. No matter what happens, no matter what the circumstances, no matter what the suffering, nothing can make me lose God's presence. I still believe that God is in control. Believing is believing, but things that are not right must be adjusted. Just like what I said just now, those who ask God as soon as something happens must be adjusted.

"And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt." (Genesis 41:42-43)

When Joseph's chariot passed by, the people in the city had to kneel down immediately. At this time, they all had Shangfang swords in their hands, and they could execute first and report later.

Joseph's Faith

Joseph's faith is that he can persevere until his dream comes true. I myself am a person of faith, and I like people of faith. Always believe in God. The Bible says that those who trust in God will not be put to shame. Although I have paid a heavy price for this, I still run this heavenly road without regret. I will also persist in my faith until my dream comes true. My dream is to see the glory of God fill the whole earth, to see Chinese Mingding Destiny bring about a new era of Christian transformation, and many people in this era will be blessed because of us. This is what I believe. Even if you throw a contemptuous look at me, it cannot take away the dream within me. I know that I was born for this and came into this world for this. I just like to pay the price for this and work hard for this.

I often hear people say that they can finally do something they like to do. There is a big difference between me and them. I like everything I do. I like to serve, and I serve willingly and happily. Even if I don't like it, I have to tell myself that I have to like it. Serving someone who discerns good and evil with me, I also like it. According to my flesh, I know that there is no good in my flesh. But I do not live by the desires of my flesh, but by the word of God. I want to keep and obey the word of God. I like to do what God wants me to do. What I like to do myself is nothing.

Brothers and sisters, persevere in this faith with me. Sometimes I say something very arrogant, that a person like me only comes out once every five hundred years. Actually, that's just a joke. Everyone can just laugh it off. But I think this sentence really describes a person of faith. If you are a person of faith, maybe only one like you comes out every hundreds or thousands of years. You are all treasures in God's eyes.

I am filled with emotion that I can see God's presence wherever I go. What I say, what I declare in faith, God will not let a word fall to the ground. It is so wonderful. I wish everyone had the same vision and dream as me, so that we can become a blessing to this era. Because you have God's presence in you, you can rely on the authority given by Jesus Christ to trample on the devil and the enemy, and create a new world in the spiritual realm. We were born for this!

May God bless everyone!

Genesis Chapter 41 Scripture

41:1 And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river.
41:2 And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow.
41:3 And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favoured and leanfleshed; and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river.
41:4 And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke.
41:5 And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good.
41:6 And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them.
41:7 And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream.
41:8 And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.
41:9 Then spake the chief butler unto Pharaoh, saying, I do remember my faults this day:
41:10 Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in ward in the captain of the guard's house, both me and the chief baker.
41:11 And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream.
41:12 And there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret.
41:13 And it came to pass, as he interpreted to us, so it was; me he restored unto mine office, and him he hanged.
41:14 Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.
41:15 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it.
41:16 And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.
41:17 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, In my dream, behold, I stood upon the bank of the river:
41:18 And, behold, there came up out of the river seven kine, fatfleshed and well favoured; and they fed in a meadow:
41:19 And, behold, seven other kine came up after them, poor and very ill favoured and leanfleshed, such as I never saw in all the land of Egypt for badness:
41:20 And the lean and the ill favoured kine did eat up the first seven fat kine:
41:21 And when they had eaten them up, it could not be known that they had eaten them; but they were still ill favoured, as at the beginning. So I awoke.
41:22 And I saw in my dream, and, behold, seven ears came up in one stalk, full and good:
41:23 And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them:
41:24 And the thin ears devoured the seven good ears: and I told this unto the magicians; but there was none that could declare it to me.
41:25 And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do.
41:26 The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one.
41:27 And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine.
41:28 This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: God sheweth unto Pharaoh what he is about to do.
41:29 Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt:
41:30 And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land;
41:31 And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous.
41:32 And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.
41:33 Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.
41:34 Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years.
41:35 And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.
41:36 And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine.
41:37 And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.
41:38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?
41:39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:
41:40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.
41:41 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.
41:42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;
41:43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.
41:44 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thy word shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.
41:45 And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.
41:46 And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.
41:47 And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls.
41:48 And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same.
41:49 And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number.
41:50 And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him.
41:51 And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.
41:52 And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.
41:53 And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended.
41:54 And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.
41:55 And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do.
41:56 And the famine was over all the face of the earth: and Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt.
41:57 And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.