And Joseph clad his brethren in new and elegant garments, and made them many generous presents, and gave to each of them three hundred pieces of silver; and then he took them before Pharaoh and introduced them to the King.
And when Pharaoh saw what goodly men the sons of Jacob were he was much pleased and very gracious towards them.
And when it became time for them to return to Canaan, Joseph procured eleven of Pharaoh’s chariots and added to them his own, for their accommodation. And he sent rich presents to his father, and garments and presents to the children of his brothers and sister, and to his brothers’ wives. And he accompanied his brethren upon their journey to the boundaries of Egypt, and parting with them, he said: “Do not, my brethren, quarrel on the way. This thing was wrought through God’s wisdom; ye were but the instruments to save from famine and hunger a vast multitude.” He also commanded them to be careful in imparting the great news they carried to their father, lest speaking suddenly, it might have a bad effect upon so old a man. And the sons of Jacob returned unto the land of Canaan in gladness with happy hearts.
And it came to pass when they drew near to Canaan that they said one to the other, “How shall we break this news unto our father? We cannot tell him suddenly that Joseph is still alive.”
But it chanced when they reached Beer-Shebah that Serach, the daughter of Asher, came to meet her father and her uncles. And Serach was a sweet singer, and she played upon the harp. So they said unto her, “Take thy harp, and go and sit before our father and play to him, and as thou playest, sing; sing of his son Joseph, and let him know in this manner that Joseph lives.”
And the maiden did as she was bid, and sitting before her grandfather, she sang to him a song, wherein she repeated seven times these words:
“Lo, Joseph is not dead; he lives,
My uncle rules o’er Egypt’s land.”
And Jacob was pleased with her singing and playing; happiness seemed to find birth in his heart at her sweet voice, and he smiled upon the maiden and blessed her. And while he was talking to her his sons arrived with their horses and chariots, and Jacob arose and met them at the door, and they said to him, “We have joyful tidings for our father. Joseph, our brother, is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.”
But Jacob remained cool and unaffected, for he did not believe their words, until he saw the presents which Joseph had sent, and all the signs of his greatness; then his eyes brightened and gladness sparkled in their depths, and he said: “Enough, my son lives; I will go and see him before I die.”