Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

Joseph was brought down to Egypt by the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard, purchased him from them. The Lord was with Joseph, and he prospered in the household of his master, the Egyptian.

His master saw that the Lord was with Joseph, and that the Lord made all he did prosper in his hand. Joseph found favor in his sight, so he made him overseer over his entire household and everything he owned. From the day he put Joseph in charge of his home and all its affairs, the Lord blessed the Egyptian's household because of Joseph. The blessing of the Lord was on everything he managed in the house and out in the fields.

Potiphar entrusted all that he had to Joseph's care, with no knowledge of what was being managed on his behalf except for the food he ate. Joseph was a man of good appearance and pleasing demeanor. After some time, his master's wife began to pay attention to him, saying, "Lie with me."

But Joseph refused, explaining to her that his master was unaware of what was going on in the house, and he had entrusted everything to Joseph's care. There was no one greater in the household than Joseph, and his master had put all trust in him except for his wife, because she was his master's wife. How then could Joseph do such a great wickedness against God?

Joseph continued to refuse her advances day after day, not wanting to be with her or lie beside her. One time when he went into the house to attend to some business, no one from the household was inside. His master's wife caught him by his garment and said, "Lie with me." But Joseph left his garment in her hands and quickly fled.

When she saw that Joseph had left behind his garment and was running away, she called out to the men of her household, saying, "Look, he has brought a Hebrew into our home!" She then called to her staff and said, "You see how this Hebrew servant came in to mock us? He came with lustful intentions, and I cried out loudly. When he heard me cry out, he left behind his garment and fled."

She kept Joseph's garment by her until her husband returned home. Then she told him a similar story, saying, "The Hebrew servant you brought into our home came in to mock me! As soon as I raised my voice and cried out, he left behind his garment and fled."

Joseph's master believed his wife's lies and took Joseph away, putting him into the prison where the king's prisoners were kept. The Lord was with Joseph, showing him mercy and granting favor in the sight of the prison keeper.

The prison keeper entrusted all the prisoners to Joseph's care, making him responsible for everything they did there. He looked favorably on everything under Joseph's supervision because the Lord was with him and made his efforts successful.