Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

Israel set out with everything he had, traveling on to Beersheba where he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. God spoke to Israel in a vision one night, saying, "Jacob, Jacob." He replied, "Here I am."

God continued speaking through visions that night: "I am the God of your father; don't be afraid to go down into Egypt. There I will make you a great nation, and I will be with you as you journey there." God assured Israel, "I will go down with you into Egypt, and I will also bring you back up again. Joseph will place his hands over your eyes when the time comes."

Jacob rose from Beersheba, and his sons brought their father, his little ones, and their wives in wagons that Pharaoh had sent for them. Jacob and all his descendants arrived in Egypt with their livestock and possessions they had acquired in Canaan.

As he entered Egypt, Jacob brought his sons, their children, daughters, and the rest of his household with him. He listed out his children who came into Egypt: Reuben was the firstborn son of Jacob. The sons of Reuben were Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.

Simeon's children were Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul, born to a Canaanite woman. Levi's sons were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Judah's sons were Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah; but Er and Onan had died in the land of Canaan.

Perez's children were Hezron and Hamul. Issachar's children were Tola, Puvah, Job, and Shimron. Zebulun's sons were Sered, Elon, and Jahleel.

These were the children that Leah bore to Jacob in Paddan Aram, including his daughter Dinah. All of their souls numbered thirty-three people. Gad's children were Ziphion, Haggi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arodi, and Areli.

Asher's sons included Jimnah, Ishuah, Isui, Beriah, and Serah, his sister; and the sons of Beriah were Heber and Malchiel. These were the children that Zilpah bore to Leah as gifts from her father Laban.

Rachel gave birth to two children: Joseph and Benjamin. In Egypt, Joseph had two more children with Asenath, Poti-phera's daughter: Manasseh and Ephraim. Benjamin's children were Belah, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim, and Ard.

Rachel bore fourteen children in total to Jacob. Dan had a child named Hushim. Naphtali's sons included Jahzeel, Guni, Jezer, and Shillem. Bilhah, whom Laban gave Rachel as a servant, bore seven children: these were the ones that she gave birth to for Jacob.

In total, sixty-six people came with Jacob into Egypt, including his descendants and their wives. Joseph had two sons born in Egypt, making a total of seventy souls in Jacob's household who went down to Egypt.

Before arriving in Goshen, Judah went ahead to Joseph as instructed. They arrived safely, and Joseph prepared his chariot to meet Israel in Goshen. There, he fell on his father's neck and wept for a long time.

Israel said to Joseph, "Now I can die in peace since I've seen your face." Joseph told his brothers and their families, "I will inform Pharaoh that my family has come from Canaan."

Joseph explained to the pharaoh that they were shepherds, responsible for caring for cattle. When questioned by the pharaoh about their occupation, Joseph replied, "We have been shepherds since our youth until now."