12 God's people were few in number,strangers in the land of Canaan.
13 They wandered from country to country,from one kingdom to another.
14 But God let no one oppress them;to protect them, he warned the kings:
15 “Don't harm my chosen servants;do not touch my prophets.”
16 The Lord sent famine to their countryand took away all their food.
17 But he sent a man ahead of them,Joseph, who had been sold as a slave.
18 His feet were kept in chains,and an iron collar was round his neck,