5The king of Egypt’s cupbearer and baker, who were confined in the prison, each had a dream. Both had a dream on the same night, and each dream had its own meaning.

6When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they looked distraught.

7So he asked Pharaoh’s officers who were in custody with him in his master’s house, “Why do you look so sad today?” 40:7 Neh 2:2

8“We had dreams,” they said to him, “but there is no one to interpret them.”

9So the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph: “In my dream there was a vine in front of me.

10On the vine were three branches. As soon as it budded, its blossoms came out and its clusters ripened into grapes.

11Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes, squeezed them into Pharaoh’s cup, and placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand.”

12“This is its interpretation,”40:12 Gn 41:12; Dn 2:36 Joseph said to him. “The three branches are three days.

13In just three days Pharaoh will lift up your head40:13 Gn 40:19–22 and restore you to your position. You will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand the way you used to when you were his cupbearer.

14But when all goes well for you, remember that I was with you. Please show kindness to me by mentioning me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this prison.

15For I was kidnapped from the land of the Hebrews,40:15 Gn 37:28 and even here I have done nothing that they should put me in the dungeon.”40:15 Or pit, or cistern40:15 Gn 39:20

16When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was positive, he said to Joseph, “I also had a dream. Three baskets of white bread were on my head.

17In the top basket were all sorts of baked goods for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating them out of the basket on my head.”

18“This is its interpretation,” Joseph replied. “The three baskets are three days.

19In just three days Pharaoh will lift up your head — from off you — and hang you on a tree.40:19 Or and impale you on a pole Then the birds will eat the flesh from your body.”40:19 Lit eat your flesh from upon you

20On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he gave a feast for all his servants. He elevated40:20 Lit He lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker among his servants.40:20 2Kg 25:27; Jr 52:31; Mt 14:6

21Pharaoh restored the chief cupbearer to his position as cupbearer, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand.

22But Pharaoh hanged40:22 Or impaled the chief baker, just as Joseph had explained to them.

23Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.40:23 Ec 9:15–16