The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Thursday January 19, 2023 (NIV)

Genesis 39:1-41:16

Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife

39 Now Joseph(A) had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard,(B) bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there.(C)

The Lord was with Joseph(D) so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the Lord was with him(E) and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did,(F) Joseph found favor in his eyes(G) and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household,(H) and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.(I) From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the Lord blessed the household(J) of the Egyptian because of Joseph.(K) The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field.(L) So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care;(M) with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate.

Now Joseph was well-built and handsome,(N) and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!”(O)

But he refused.(P) “With me in charge,” he told her, “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care.(Q) No one is greater in this house than I am.(R) My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”(S) 10 And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused(T) to go to bed with her or even be with her.

11 One day he went into the house to attend to his duties,(U) and none of the household servants(V) was inside. 12 She caught him by his cloak(W) and said, “Come to bed with me!”(X) But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.(Y)

13 When she saw that he had left his cloak in her hand and had run out of the house, 14 she called her household servants.(Z) “Look,” she said to them, “this Hebrew(AA) has been brought to us to make sport of us!(AB) He came in here to sleep with me, but I screamed.(AC) 15 When he heard me scream for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.”(AD)

16 She kept his cloak beside her until his master came home. 17 Then she told him this story:(AE) “That Hebrew(AF) slave(AG) you brought us came to me to make sport of me. 18 But as soon as I screamed for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.”

19 When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, “This is how your slave treated me,” he burned with anger.(AH) 20 Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison,(AI) the place where the king’s prisoners were confined.

But while Joseph was there in the prison, 21 the Lord was with him;(AJ) he showed him kindness(AK) and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.(AL) 22 So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there.(AM) 23 The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s(AN) care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.(AO)

The Cupbearer and the Baker

40 Some time later, the cupbearer(AP) and the baker(AQ) of the king of Egypt offended their master, the king of Egypt. Pharaoh was angry(AR) with his two officials,(AS) the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, and put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard,(AT) in the same prison where Joseph was confined. The captain of the guard(AU) assigned them to Joseph,(AV) and he attended them.

After they had been in custody(AW) for some time, each of the two men—the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were being held in prison—had a dream(AX) the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own.(AY)

When Joseph came to them the next morning, he saw that they were dejected. So he asked Pharaoh’s officials who were in custody(AZ) with him in his master’s house, “Why do you look so sad today?”(BA)

“We both had dreams,” they answered, “but there is no one to interpret them.”(BB)

Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God?(BC) Tell me your dreams.”

So the chief cupbearer(BD) told Joseph his dream. He said to him, “In my dream I saw a vine in front of me, 10 and on the vine were three branches. As soon as it budded, it blossomed,(BE) and its clusters ripened into grapes. 11 Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes, squeezed them into Pharaoh’s cup and put the cup in his hand.”

12 “This is what it means,(BF)” Joseph said to him. “The three branches are three days.(BG) 13 Within three days(BH) Pharaoh will lift up your head(BI) and restore you to your position, and you will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand, just as you used to do when you were his cupbearer.(BJ) 14 But when all goes well with you, remember me(BK) and show me kindness;(BL) mention me to Pharaoh(BM) and get me out of this prison. 15 I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews,(BN) and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.”(BO)

16 When the chief baker(BP) saw that Joseph had given a favorable interpretation,(BQ) he said to Joseph, “I too had a dream: On my head were three baskets(BR) of bread.[a] 17 In the top basket were all kinds of baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head.”

18 “This is what it means,” Joseph said. “The three baskets are three days.(BS) 19 Within three days(BT) Pharaoh will lift off your head(BU) and impale your body on a pole.(BV) And the birds will eat away your flesh.”(BW)

20 Now the third day(BX) was Pharaoh’s birthday,(BY) and he gave a feast for all his officials.(BZ) He lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker(CA) in the presence of his officials: 21 He restored the chief cupbearer(CB) to his position,(CC) so that he once again put the cup into Pharaoh’s hand(CD) 22 but he impaled the chief baker,(CE) just as Joseph had said to them in his interpretation.(CF)

23 The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.(CG)

Pharaoh’s Dreams

41 When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream:(CH) He was standing by the Nile,(CI) when out of the river there came up seven cows, sleek and fat,(CJ) and they grazed among the reeds.(CK) After them, seven other cows, ugly and gaunt, came up out of the Nile and stood beside those on the riverbank. And the cows that were ugly and gaunt ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up.(CL)

He fell asleep again and had a second dream: Seven heads of grain,(CM) healthy and good, were growing on a single stalk. After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted—thin and scorched by the east wind.(CN) The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads. Then Pharaoh woke up;(CO) it had been a dream.

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

Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “Today I am reminded of my shortcomings.(CS) 10 Pharaoh was once angry with his servants,(CT) and he imprisoned me and the chief baker in the house of the captain of the guard.(CU) 11 Each of us had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own.(CV) 12 Now a young Hebrew(CW) was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard.(CX) We told him our dreams, and he interpreted them for us, giving each man the interpretation of his dream.(CY) 13 And things turned out exactly as he interpreted them to us: I was restored to my position, and the other man was impaled.(CZ)

14 So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon.(DA) When he had shaved(DB) and changed his clothes,(DC) he came before Pharaoh.

15 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it.(DD) But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”(DE)

16 “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”(DF)

Footnotes:

  1. Genesis 40:16 Or three wicker baskets

Cross references:

  1. Genesis 39:1 : S Ge 30:24
  2. Genesis 39:1 : S Ge 37:36
  3. Genesis 39:1 : S Ge 37:25
  4. Genesis 39:2 : S Ge 21:20, 22; Jos 1:5; 6:27; Jdg 1:19; 1Sa 18:14; Ac 7:9
  5. Genesis 39:3 : S Ge 21:22
  6. Genesis 39:3 : ver 23; 1Sa 18:14; 2Ki 18:7; 2Ch 20:20; Ps 1:3; 128:2; Isa 33:6
  7. Genesis 39:4 : S Ge 6:8; S 18:3
  8. Genesis 39:4 : Ge 47:6; 1Ki 11:28; Pr 22:29
  9. Genesis 39:4 : ver 8, 22; Ge 40:4; 42:37
  10. Genesis 39:5 : 2Sa 6:11
  11. Genesis 39:5 : S Ge 26:24
  12. Genesis 39:5 : Dt 28:3; Ps 128:4
  13. Genesis 39:6 : Ge 24:2
  14. Genesis 39:6 : S Ge 12:11; Ex 2:2; 1Sa 9:2; 16:12; 17:42; Est 2:7; Da 1:4
  15. Genesis 39:7 : S Ge 38:16; Pr 7:15-18
  16. Genesis 39:8 : Pr 6:23-24
  17. Genesis 39:8 : S ver 4
  18. Genesis 39:9 : Ge 41:33, 40
  19. Genesis 39:9 : S Ge 13:13; S Nu 22:34
  20. Genesis 39:10 : Est 3:4
  21. Genesis 39:11 : Ex 18:20; Dt 1:18
  22. Genesis 39:11 : ver 14
  23. Genesis 39:12 : 2Sa 13:11; Pr 7:13
  24. Genesis 39:12 : S Ge 38:16
  25. Genesis 39:12 : ver 15; Pr 5:8; 2Ti 2:22
  26. Genesis 39:14 : ver 11
  27. Genesis 39:14 : S Ge 14:13
  28. Genesis 39:14 : S Ge 21:9
  29. Genesis 39:14 : Dt 22:24, 27
  30. Genesis 39:15 : S ver 12
  31. Genesis 39:17 : Ex 20:16; 23:1, 7; Dt 5:20; Ps 101:5
  32. Genesis 39:17 : S Ge 14:13
  33. Genesis 39:17 : Ge 21:10
  34. Genesis 39:19 : S Ge 34:7; S Est 1:12
  35. Genesis 39:20 : Ge 40:3; 41:10; Ps 105:18
  36. Genesis 39:21 : S Ge 21:20
  37. Genesis 39:21 : S Ge 19:19
  38. Genesis 39:21 : Ex 3:21; 11:3; 12:36; Est 2:9; Ps 106:46; Pr 16:7; Da 1:9
  39. Genesis 39:22 : S ver 4
  40. Genesis 39:23 : S Ge 21:20; S Nu 14:43
  41. Genesis 39:23 : S ver 3
  42. Genesis 40:1 : ver 9, 13, 21; Ne 1:11
  43. Genesis 40:1 : ver 16, 20
  44. Genesis 40:2 : Pr 16:14, 15; 19:12
  45. Genesis 40:2 : Ge 41:10; Est 2:21
  46. Genesis 40:3 : S Ge 37:36; S 39:20
  47. Genesis 40:4 : S Ge 37:36
  48. Genesis 40:4 : S Ge 39:4
  49. Genesis 40:4 : ver 7; Ge 42:17
  50. Genesis 40:5 : S Ge 20:3
  51. Genesis 40:5 : Ge 41:11
  52. Genesis 40:7 : S ver 4
  53. Genesis 40:7 : Ne 2:2
  54. Genesis 40:8 : Ge 41:8, 15
  55. Genesis 40:8 : Ge 41:16, 25, 28, 32; Dt 29:29; Da 2:22, 28, 47
  56. Genesis 40:9 : S ver 1
  57. Genesis 40:10 : Isa 27:6; 35:1-2; Hos 14:7
  58. Genesis 40:12 : ver 16; Ge 41:12, 15, 25; Da 2:36; 4:19
  59. Genesis 40:12 : ver 18
  60. Genesis 40:13 : ver 19, 20; Jos 1:11; 3:2; Ezr 8:32; Ne 2:11
  61. Genesis 40:13 : ver 19
  62. Genesis 40:13 : S ver 1
  63. Genesis 40:14 : 1Sa 25:31; Lk 23:42
  64. Genesis 40:14 : S Ge 19:19; 1Sa 20:14, 42; 2Sa 9:1; 1Ki 2:7
  65. Genesis 40:14 : ver 23; Ge 41:9; Ecc 9:15
  66. Genesis 40:15 : S Ge 14:13
  67. Genesis 40:15 : Ge 39:20; Job 13:27
  68. Genesis 40:16 : S ver 1
  69. Genesis 40:16 : S ver 12
  70. Genesis 40:16 : Am 8:1-2
  71. Genesis 40:18 : ver 12
  72. Genesis 40:19 : ver 13
  73. Genesis 40:19 : S ver 13
  74. Genesis 40:19 : ver 22; Dt 21:22-23; Est 2:23; 7:10
  75. Genesis 40:19 : Dt 28:26; 1Sa 17:44; 2Sa 21:10; 1Ki 14:11; 16:4; 21:24; Eze 39:4
  76. Genesis 40:20 : S ver 13
  77. Genesis 40:20 : Mt 14:6-10
  78. Genesis 40:20 : Est 2:18; Mk 6:21
  79. Genesis 40:20 : S ver 1
  80. Genesis 40:21 : S ver 1
  81. Genesis 40:21 : 2Ki 25:27; Jer 52:31
  82. Genesis 40:21 : ver 13
  83. Genesis 40:22 : S ver 19
  84. Genesis 40:22 : Ge 41:13; Ps 105:19
  85. Genesis 40:23 : S ver 14; S Ecc 1:11
  86. Genesis 41:1 : S Ge 20:3
  87. Genesis 41:1 : ver 17; S Ge 2:14; Ex 1:22; 2:5; 7:15
  88. Genesis 41:2 : ver 26; Jer 5:28
  89. Genesis 41:2 : ver 18; Ex 2:3; Job 40:21; Isa 19:6
  90. Genesis 41:4 : ver 7
  91. Genesis 41:5 : Jos 13:3; 2Ki 4:42; 1Ch 13:5; Isa 23:3; Jer 2:18
  92. Genesis 41:6 : Ex 10:13; 14:21; Job 6:26; 11:2; 15:2; Ps 11:6; 48:7; Isa 11:15; 27:8; Jer 4:11; 18:17; Eze 19:12; 27:26; Hos 12:1; 13:15; Jnh 4:8
  93. Genesis 41:7 : ver 4
  94. Genesis 41:8 : Job 7:14; Da 2:1, 3; 4:5, 19
  95. Genesis 41:8 : Ex 7:11, 22; Da 1:20; 2:2, 27; 4:7; 5:7
  96. Genesis 41:8 : ver 24; S Ge 40:8; Da 4:18
  97. Genesis 41:9 : S Ge 40:14
  98. Genesis 41:10 : S Ge 40:2
  99. Genesis 41:10 : S Ge 37:36; S 39:20
  100. Genesis 41:11 : Ge 40:5
  101. Genesis 41:12 : S Ge 14:13; 39:17
  102. Genesis 41:12 : S Ge 37:36; 40:4
  103. Genesis 41:12 : S Ge 40:12
  104. Genesis 41:13 : S Ge 40:22
  105. Genesis 41:14 : Ps 105:20
  106. Genesis 41:14 : Isa 18:2, 7
  107. Genesis 41:14 : S Ge 35:2; 45:22; Ru 3:3; 2Sa 12:20
  108. Genesis 41:15 : S Ge 40:8
  109. Genesis 41:15 : S Ge 40:12; Da 4:18; 5:16
  110. Genesis 41:16 : S Ge 40:8
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Matthew 12:46-13:23

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers(A)

46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother(B) and brothers(C) stood outside, wanting to speak to him. 47 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”

48 He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven(D) is my brother and sister and mother.”

The Parable of the Sower(E)(F)(G)

13 That same day Jesus went out of the house(H) and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat(I) and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred,(J) sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”(K)

10 The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”

11 He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven(L) has been given to you,(M) but not to them. 12 Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.(N) 13 This is why I speak to them in parables:

“Though seeing, they do not see;
though hearing, they do not hear or understand.(O)

14 In them is fulfilled(P) the prophecy of Isaiah:

“‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
15 For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’[a](Q)

16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.(R) 17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see(S) but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom(T) and does not understand it, the evil one(U) comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.(V) 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth(W) choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”(X)

Footnotes:

  1. Matthew 13:15 Isaiah 6:9,10 (see Septuagint)
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Psalm 17

Psalm 17

A prayer of David.

Hear me,(A) Lord, my plea is just;
listen to my cry.(B)
Hear(C) my prayer—
it does not rise from deceitful lips.(D)
Let my vindication(E) come from you;
may your eyes see what is right.(F)

Though you probe my heart,(G)
though you examine me at night and test me,(H)
you will find that I have planned no evil;(I)
my mouth has not transgressed.(J)
Though people tried to bribe me,
I have kept myself from the ways of the violent
through what your lips have commanded.
My steps have held to your paths;(K)
my feet have not stumbled.(L)

I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;(M)
turn your ear to me(N) and hear my prayer.(O)
Show me the wonders of your great love,(P)
you who save by your right hand(Q)
those who take refuge(R) in you from their foes.
Keep me(S) as the apple of your eye;(T)
hide me(U) in the shadow of your wings(V)
from the wicked who are out to destroy me,
from my mortal enemies who surround me.(W)

10 They close up their callous hearts,(X)
and their mouths speak with arrogance.(Y)
11 They have tracked me down, they now surround me,(Z)
with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground.
12 They are like a lion(AA) hungry for prey,(AB)
like a fierce lion crouching in cover.

13 Rise up,(AC) Lord, confront them, bring them down;(AD)
with your sword rescue me from the wicked.
14 By your hand save me from such people, Lord,
from those of this world(AE) whose reward is in this life.(AF)
May what you have stored up for the wicked fill their bellies;
may their children gorge themselves on it,
and may there be leftovers(AG) for their little ones.

15 As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face;
when I awake,(AH) I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.(AI)

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Proverbs 3:33-35

33 The Lord’s curse(A) is on the house of the wicked,(B)
but he blesses the home of the righteous.(C)
34 He mocks(D) proud mockers(E)
but shows favor to the humble(F) and oppressed.
35 The wise inherit honor,
but fools get only shame.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.