Genesis 41:8   (Read all of Genesis 41)

In the morning his mind was troubled, so he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him.

Genesis 41:9   (Read all of Genesis 41)

Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, "Today I am reminded of my shortcomings.

Genesis 41:10   (Read all of Genesis 41)

Pharaoh was once angry with his servants, and he imprisoned me and the chief baker in the house of the captain of the guard.

Genesis 41:11   (Read all of Genesis 41)

Each of us had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own.

Genesis 41:12   (Read all of Genesis 41)

Now a young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. We told him our dreams, and he interpreted them for us, giving each man the interpretation of his dream.

Genesis 41:14   (Read all of Genesis 41)

So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh.

Genesis 41:15   (Read all of Genesis 41)

Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it."

Genesis 41:17   (Read all of Genesis 41)

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile,

Genesis 41:18   (Read all of Genesis 41)

when out of the river there came up seven cows, fat and sleek, and they grazed among the reeds.

Genesis 41:19   (Read all of Genesis 41)

After them, seven other cows came up-scrawny and very ugly and lean. I had never seen such ugly cows in all the land of Egypt.

Genesis 41:20   (Read all of Genesis 41)

The lean, ugly cows ate up the seven fat cows that came up first.

Genesis 41:21   (Read all of Genesis 41)

But even after they ate them, no one could tell that they had done so; they looked just as ugly as before. Then I woke up.

Genesis 41:22   (Read all of Genesis 41)

"In my dream I saw seven heads of grain, full and good, growing on a single stalk.

Genesis 41:23   (Read all of Genesis 41)

After them, seven other heads sprouted-withered and thin and scorched by the east wind.

Genesis 41:24   (Read all of Genesis 41)

The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven good heads. I told this to the magicians, but none of them could explain it to me."

Genesis 41:25   (Read all of Genesis 41)

Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, "The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do.

Genesis 41:26   (Read all of Genesis 41)

The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream.

Genesis 41:27   (Read all of Genesis 41)

The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind: They are seven years of famine.

Genesis 41:28   (Read all of Genesis 41)

"It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do.

Genesis 41:29   (Read all of Genesis 41)

Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt,

Genesis 41:30   (Read all of Genesis 41)

but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land.

Genesis 41:31   (Read all of Genesis 41)

The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe.

Genesis 41:32   (Read all of Genesis 41)

The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon.

Genesis 41:34   (Read all of Genesis 41)

Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance.