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[160]
But Joseph, as overcome now with his affections, and no longer able
to personate an angry man, commanded all that were present to depart, that
he might make himself known to his brethren when they were alone; and when
the rest were gone out, he made himself known to his brethren; and said,
"I commend you for your virtue, and your kindness to our brother:
I find you better men than I could have expected from what you contrived
about me. Indeed, I did all this to try your love to your brother; so I
believe you were not wicked by nature in what you did in my case, but that
all has happened according to God's will, who has hereby procured our enjoyment
of what good things we have; and, if he continue in a favorable 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.
Flavius Josephus. The Works of Flavius Josephus. Translated by. William Whiston, A.M. Auburn and Buffalo. John E. Beardsley. 1895.
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