1 Quando José chegou ao Egipto, cativo dos negociantes ismaelitas, foi comprado a eles por Potifar, membro da corte de Faraó. Potifar era chefe da casa militar do rei, e responsável pelo palácio real.2 O Senhor abençoou grandemente José na casa do seu senhor de tal forma que tudo o que fazia resultava bem. O próprio Potifar reparou nisso e deu-se conta de que Deus estava com José de uma forma especial.4 Dessa maneira José tornou-se o seu favorito e depressa ficou com a responsabilidade da administração da casa de Potifar e dos seus negócios pessoais.5 E logo o Senhor começou a abençoar o próprio Potifar por causa de José. Todos os seus assuntos corriam optimamente e floresciam-lha as propriedades no campo, assim como os rebanhos que tinha, de tal maneira que Potifar acabou por deixar sobre José a responsabilidade total de tudo o que era seu. Não se preocupava fosse com o que fosse a não ser com o que queria comer cada dia ra José era um belo moço, com uma apresentação muito agradável.7 Por esse tempo a mulher de Potifar começou a reparar nele e acabou por convidá-lo a dormir consigo.8 Mas ele recusou: O meu patrão confia-me tudo o que tem.9 Ele próprio não tem mais autoridade do que eu aqui em casa! Não me privou de coisa nenhuma a não ser de ti, porque és a sua mulher. Como é que eu ia agora fazer uma coisa dessas assim tão grave? Seria um grande pecado contra Deus!10 Mas ela continuava dia a dia a convidá-lo apesar dele sempre recusar.11 Um dia, quando estava na casa cumprindo os serviços habituais, aconteceu que ninguém mais se encontrava ali. Então ela veio e puxou-lhe pela camisa, incitando-o a vir com ela. Mas ele preferiu deixar-lhe a camisa nas mãos e afastar-se rapidamente para fora de casa.13 Quando ela viu que lhe tinha ficado com a camisa, começou a gritar de tal forma que as pessoas dali perto, à volta da casa, acorreram. O meu marido trouxe para casa este escravo hebreu para nos ofender!, exclamava. Tentou violentar-me, e quando comecei a gritar, fugiu mas ainda deixou aqui a camisa.16 E pôs a roupa perto dela. Quando o marido chegou contou-lhe a sua história: Esse escravo hebreu que trouxeste cá para casa veio ter comigo e tentou violentar-me. Salvei-me porque comecei a gritar com toda a força. Ele fugiu mas ainda deixou aqui a camisa.19 Ao ouvir aquilo o marido ficou furioso. Pôs José na prisão, onde se encontravam outros presos do rei. Mas também ali o Senhor continuava ao lado de José, beneficiando-o com a sua bondade; e fez com que caisse nas simpatias do chefe carcereiro.22 Dessa forma este último depressa lhe confiou toda a responsabilidade da administração da prisão, e até todos os outros prisioneiros estavam ao seu cuidado. O carcereiro não se ocupava de mais nada, porque José tomava conta de tudo, e como o Senhor estava com ele tudo corria per-feitamente.

1 And Joseph was brought down to Egypt: and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmaelites, who had brought him down thither.2 And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man: and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.3 And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.5 And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake: and the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had in the house, and in the field.6 And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not aught he had, save the bread which he ate; and Joseph was a goodly person, and well favored.7 And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph: and she said, Lie with me.8 But he refused, and said to his master's wife, Behold, my master knoweth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand:9 There is none greater in his house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?10 And it came to pass, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not to her, to lie by her, or to be with her.11 And it came to pass, about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and went out.13 And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and had fled forth,14 That she called to the men of her house, and spoke to them, saying, See, he hath brought in a Hebrew to us to mock us: he came in to me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice:15 And it came to pass, when he heard that I raised my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and went out.16 And she laid up his garment by her until his lord came home.17 And she spoke to him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought to us, came in to me to mock me.18 And it came to pass, as I raised my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled.19 And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spoke to him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled.20 And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.21 But the LORD was with Joseph, and showed him mercy, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatever they did there, was done by him.23 The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him: and that which he did the LORD made it to prosper.