15When the brothers of Joseph saw that their father had died, they said, "If Joseph hates us, he will surely repay us for all the harm that we inflicted on him."16So they commanded Joseph, saying, "Your father commanded before his death, saying,17Say to Joseph, 'Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, for they inflicted harm on you; and now please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.'" Joseph wept when they spoke to him.18His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, "We are now your servants."19Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God?20You meant harm against me, but God meant it for good, in order to accomplish what has happened today, to keep many people alive.21So now do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your children." He comforted them and spoke kindly to them.