ood
cows are seven years, and the seven good ears are seven years. It is one
dream. The seven lean and poorly fed cows that came up after them are
seven years, and the seven empty ears withered with the east wind mean
seven years of famine. That is why I said to Pharaoh, 'God has shown to
Pharaoh what he is about to do.' Seven years of great plenty all through
the land of Egypt are coming. They shall be followed by seven years of
famine, so that all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt.
The famine will use up all that the land produces; and plenty will not
be known in the land because of that famine which follows, for it will
be very severe.

"The dream came twice to Pharaoh to show that the famine will surely
come, and that God will soon make the dream come true. Now therefore let
Pharaoh pick out a man who is sensible and wise and place him in charge
of the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh act quickly and put overseers over the
land and collect one-fifth of all that grows in the land of Egypt in the
seven years of plenty. Let them gather all the food of these good years
that are coming and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh, and
let them hold it in the cities for food. The food will supply the land
during the seven years of famine which shall be in the land of Egypt, so
that the people of the land may not die because of the famine."

The plan pleased Pharaoh and all his people; and he said to his people,
"Can we find one like this, a man in whom is the spirit of God?" So
Pharaoh said to Joseph, "As God has shown you all this, there is no one
so sensible and wise as you. You shall be at the head of my country, and
all my people shall be ruled as you command. Only on the throne I will
be above you."

So Pharaoh said to Joseph, "See, I have placed you over all the land of
Egypt." And Pharaoh took off his signet-ring from his finger and put it
upon Joseph's finger and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a
golden collar about his neck. He also made him ride in the second
chariot which he had; and they cried before him, "Attention!" So he
placed him over all the land of Egypt. Pharaoh also said to Joseph, "I
am Pharaoh, but without your consent no man shall lift up his hand or
his foot in all the land of Egypt." Pharaoh gave him as a wife Asenath,
the daughter of Potiphera. And Joseph was thirty years old when he was
made the ruler of the land of Egypt.

In the seven years of plenty there wer