JOSEPH INTERPRETING PHARAOH'S DREAM.

And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaohdreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river. And, behold, therecame up out of the river seven well favoured kine andfat-fleshed; and they fed in a meadow. And, behold, seven otherkine came up after them out of the river, ill favoured andlean-fleshed; and stood by the other kine upon the brink of theriver. And the ill favored and lean-fleshed kine did eat up theseven well favoured and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke.

And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, sevenears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good. And, behold,seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up afterthem. And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and fullears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream.

And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit wastroubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt,and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream;but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.

[At the suggestion of his chief butler Pharaoh sends forJoseph and relates to him his dreams, which Joseph interprets asfollows:]

And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: Godhath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do. The seven good kineare seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: thedream is one. And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that cameup after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blastedwith the east wind shall be seven years of famine. This is thething which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to dohe sheweth unto Pharaoh. Behold, there come seven years of greatplenty throughout all the land of Egypt: And there shall ariseafter them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall beforgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume theland; and the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason ofthat famine following; for it shall be very grievous. And forthat the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice it is because thething is established by God, and God will shortly bring it topass.

Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise,and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, and lethim appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part ofthe land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. And let themgather all the food of those good years that come, and lay upcorn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in thecities. And that food shall be for store to the land against theseven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; thatthe land perish not through the famine.—Genesis xli. 1-36.