vorable disposition, of what we hope for hereafter.
Since, therefore, I know that our father is safe and well, beyond
expectation, and I see you so well disposed to your brother, I will no
longer remember what guilt you seem to have had about me, but will leave
off to hate you for that your wickedness; and do rather return you my
thanks, that you have concurred with the intentions of God to bring
things to their present state. I would have you also rather to forget
the same, since that imprudence of yours is come to such a happy
conclusion, than to be uneasy and blush at those your offenses. Do not,
therefore, let your evil intentions, when you condemned me, and that
bitter remorse which might follow, be a grief to you now, because those
intentions were frustrated. Go, therefore, your way, rejoicing in what
has happened by the Divine Providence, and inform your father of it,
lest he should be spent with cares for you, and deprive me of the most
agreeable part of my felicity; I mean, lest he should die before he
comes into my sight, and enjoys the good things that we now have. Bring,
therefore, with you our father, and your wives and children, and all
your kindred, and remove your habitations hither; for it is not proper
that the persons dearest to me should live remote from me, now my
affairs are so prosperous, especially when they must endure five more
years of famine." When Joseph had said this, he embraced his brethren,
who were in tears and sorrow; but the generous kindness of their
brother seemed to leave among them no room for fear, lest they should
be punished on account of what they had consulted and acted against
him; and they were then feasting. Now the king, as soon as he heard that
Joseph's brethren were come to him, was exceeding glad of it, as if it
had been a part of his own good fortune; and gave them wagons full of
corn and gold and silver, to be conveyed to his father. Now when they
had received more of their brother part to be carried to their father,
and part as free gifts to every one of themselves, Benjamin having still
more than the rest, they departed.

CHAPTER 7. The Removal Of Joseph's Father With All His Family, To Him,
On Account Of The Famine.

1. As soon as Jacob came to know, by his sons returning home, in what
state Joseph was, that he had not only escaped death, for which yet
he lived all along in mourning, but that he lived in splendor and
happiness, and ruled over Egypt, joint