Genesis 49:23

Plain English Version

Joseph’s enemies hated him, they attacked him and made trouble for him.

Cross References

Genesis 37:18

But Joseph was still a long way away, and his brothers saw him coming. So they talked quickly to each other and made a plan to kill him.

Genesis 37:24

And they grabbed him, and they chucked him into a big hole in the ground. That hole was empty, there wasn’t any water in it.

Genesis 37:28

So when that Midian mob got near to them, Joseph’s brothers pulled Joseph out of that hole, and they sold him to the Midian mob for 20 pieces of silver money. Then the Midian mob took Joseph to Egypt country.

Genesis 37:4

Joseph’s brothers saw that their father loved Joseph more than them. So they hated Joseph, and they couldn’t talk in a friendly way to him.

Genesis 42:21

Then Joseph’s brothers talked to each other in their own language. They said, “You know, a long time ago, we made bad trouble for our brother Joseph. We chucked him into a big hole in the ground, and then we sold him to some men from the Midian tribe. At that time, we saw that he was really frightened, and he asked us strongly to be good to him, but we didn’t listen. That’s the reason why we’ve got this bad trouble now. God is punishing us for those things that we did to Joseph.”

Genesis 49:22

Then Jacob said, “Lots of people will be born into Joseph’s family. Yes, Joseph’s family will grow big, just like a grape vine that grows near a spring of water, and has lots of fruit. Its branches are so long, they grow over a big wall.

Genesis 49:24

But he didn’t give up, God helped him to stand strong. Yes, God, my God, he is the one that has all the power. God looks after his people properly, just like a man looks after his sheep properly. God is like solid rock, he keeps his people safe.”

John 16:33

I told you all these things now, so that you can always feel happy and quiet inside yourselves. You are going to get trouble in this world, and you are going to feel sad. But don’t be frightened. I am stronger than the world. I finished up the power of this world. So be strong and brave.”

Acts 14:22

In each of those towns they talked to the Christians and said, “Keep on believing in Jesus, and don’t turn away from him. Some people will keep on making big trouble for all of us Christians, but don’t worry, Jesus is with us. We are in God’s family now.”