9. which he made with Abraham,the solemn pledge he swore to Isaac.
10. God set it up as binding law for Jacob,as an eternal covenant for Israel,
11. promising, "I hereby give you the land of Canaanas your allotted inheritance."
12. When they were few in number—insignificant, just immigrants—
13. wandering from nation to nation,from one kingdom to the next,
14. God didn’t let anyone oppress them.God punished kings for their sake:
15. "Don’t touch my anointed ones;don’t harm my prophets!"
16. When God called for a famine in the land,destroying every source of food,
17. he sent a man ahead of them,who was sold as a slave: it was Joseph.
18. Joseph’s feet hurt in his shackles;his neck was in an iron collar,
19. until what he predicted actually happened,until what the Lord had said proved him true.
20. The king sent for Joseph and set him free;the ruler of many people released him.
21. The king made Joseph master of his house and ruler over everything he owned,