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die for it。 He also put her in mind that she was a married woman；
and that she ought to cohabit with her husband only； and desired
her to suffer these considerations to have more weight with her
than the short pleasure of lustful dalliance； which would bring
her to repentance afterwards； would cause trouble to her； and yet
would not amend what had been done amiss。 He also suggested to
her the fear she would be in lest they should be caught； and that
the advantage of concealment was uncertain； and that only while
the wickedness was not known ＇would there be any quiet for them＇；
but that she might have the enjoyment of her husband's company
without any danger。 And he told her； that in the company of her
husband she might have great boldness from a good conscience；
both before God and before men。 Nay； that she would act better
like his mistress； and make use of her authority over him better
while she persisted in her chastity； than when they were both
ashamed for what wickedness they had been guilty of； and that it
is much better to a life； well and known to have been so； than
upon the hopes of the concealment of evil practices。
5。 Joseph； by saying this； and more； tried to restrain the
violent passion of the woman； and to reduce her affections within
the rules of reason； but she grew more ungovernable and earnest
in the matter； and since she despaired of persuading him； she
laid her hands upon him； and had a mind to force him。 But as soon
as Joseph had got away from her anger； leaving also his garment
with her； for he left that to her； and leaped out of her chamber；
she was greatly afraid lest he should discover her lewdness to
her husband； and greatly troubled at the affront he had offered
her； so she resolved to be beforehand with him； and to accuse
Joseph falsely to Potiphar； and by that means to revenge herself
on him for his pride and contempt of her； and she thought it a
wise thing in itself； and also becoming a woman； thus to prevent
his accusation。 Accordingly she sat sorrowful and in confusion；
framing herself so hypocritically and angrily； that the sorrow；
which was really for her being disappointed of her lust； might
appear to be for the attempt upon her chastity； so that when her
husband came home； and was disturbed at the sight of her and
inquired what was the cause of the disorder she was in； she began
to accuse Joseph： and； 〃O husband；〃 said she； 〃mayst thou not
live a day longer if thou dost not punish the wicked slave who
has desired to defile thy bed； who has neither minded who he was
when he came to our house； so as to behave himself with modesty；
nor has he been mindful of what favors he had received from thy
bounty （as he must be an ungrateful man indeed； unless he； in
every respect； carry himself in a manner agreeable to us）： this
man； I say； laid a private design to abuse thy wife； and this at
the time of a festival； observing when thou wouldst be absent。 So
that it now is clear that his modesty； as it appeared to be
formerly； was only because of the restraint he was in out of fear
of thee； but that he was not really of a good disposition。 This
has been occasioned by his being advanced to honor beyond what he
deserved； and what he hoped for； insomuch that he concluded； that
he who was deemed fit to be trusted with thy estate and the
government of thy family； and was preferred above thy eldest
servants； might be allowed to touch thy wife also。〃 Thus when she
had ended her discourse； she showed him his garment； as if he
then left it with her when he attempted to force her。 But
Potiphar not being able to disbelieve what his wife's tears
showed； and what his wife said； and what he saw himself； and
being seduced by his love to his wife； did not set himself about
the examination of the truth； but taking it for granted that his
wife was a modest woman； and condemning Joseph as a wicked man；
he threw him into the malefactors' prison； and had a still higher
opinion of his wife； and bare her witness that she was a woman of
a becoming modesty and chastity。
CHAPTER 5。
What Things Befell Joseph In Prison。
1。 Now Joseph； commending all his affairs to God； did not betake
himself to make his defense； nor to give an account of the exact
circumstances of the fact； but silently underwent the bonds and
the distress he was in； firmly believing that God； who knew the
cause of his affliction； and the truth of the fact； would be more
powerful than those that inflicted the punishments upon him ： … a
proof of whose providence he quickly received； for the keeper of
the prison taking notice of his care and fidelity in the affairs
he had set him about； and the dignity of his countenance； relaxed
his bonds； and thereby made his heavy calamity lighter； and more
supportable to him。 He also permitted him to make use of a diet
better than that of the rest of the prisoners。 Now； as his fellow
prisoners； when their hard labors were over； fell to discoursing
one among another； as is usual in such as are equal sufferers；
and to inquire one of another what were the occasions of their
being condemned to a prison： among them the king's cupbearer； and
one that had been respected by him； was put in bonds； upon the
king's anger at him。 This man was under the same bonds with
Joseph； and grew more familiar with him； and upon his observing
that Joseph had a better understanding than the rest had； he told
him of a dream he had； and desired he would interpret its
meaning； complaining that； besides the afflictions he underwent
from the king； God did also add to him trouble from his dreams。
2。 He therefore said； that in his sleep he saw three clusters of
grapes hanging upon three branches of a vine； large already； and
ripe for gathering； and that he squeezed them into a cup which
the king held in his hand； and when he had strained the wine； he
gave it to the king to drink； and that he received it from him
with a pleasant countenance。 This； he said； was what he saw； and
he desired Joseph； that if he had any portion of understanding in
such matters； he would tell him what this vision foretold。 Who
bid him be of good cheer； and expect to be loosed from his bonds
in three days' time； because the king desired his service； and
was about to restore him to it again； for he let him know that
God bestows the fruit of the vine upon men for good； which wine
is poured out to him； and is the pledge of fidelity and mutual
confidence among men； and puts an end to their quarrels； takes
away passion and grief out of the minds of them that use it； and
makes them cheerful。 〃Thou sayest that thou didst squeeze this
wine from three clusters of grapes with thine hands； and that the
king received it： know； therefore； that this vision is for thy
good； and foretells a release from thy present distress within
the same number of days as the branches had whence thou
gatheredst thy grapes in thy sleep。 However； remember what
prosperity I have foretold thee when thou hast found it true by
experience； and when thou art in authority； do not overlook us in
this prison； wherein thou wilt leave us when thou art gone to the
place we have foretold； for we are not in prison for