15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and ^gpay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” 16 So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died: 17 ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph ^hwept when they spoke to him. 18 His brothers also came and ⁱfell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” 19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for ^jam I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but ^kGod meant it ^lfor good, to bring it about that many people¹ should be kept alive, as they are today. 21 So do not fear; ^mI will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.