# Connecting Statement:

The three-level quotation that begins with the words "Your father gave" in verse 16 ends here.

# Tell Joseph this, "Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin when they did evil to you."

The three-level quotation that begins with the words "Your father gave" in verse 16 ends here. This is the second-level quotation, and it contains a third-level quotation that can be stated as an indirect quotation. "Tell Joseph to please forgive your transgression and your sin when you did evil to him." Both the second- and third-level quotations can be translated as indirect quotations. "Your father instructed us before he died to tell you to please forgive our transgression and our sin when we did evil to you." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])

# and their sin when they did evil to you

"for the wicked things they did to you"

# Now

This does not mean "at this moment," but is used to draw attention to the important point that follows.

# please forgive the servants of the God of your father

The brothers are referring to themselves as "the servants of the God of your father." This can be stated in first person. Alternate translation: "please forgive us, the servants of the God of our father" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

# Joseph wept when they spoke to him

"Joseph wept when he heard this message"

