Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/138

 sin,  bad  companions,  and  impure  things. “My son,  if  sinners  shall entice thee,  consent  not  to  them! If they  shall  say,  ‘Come  with us, walk  not  thou  with  them!”  (Prov. 1, 10 &amp;c.)  Say  every  day a Hail Mary  for  the  preservation  of  your  innocence.

OSEPH was  now  pining  in  prison,  among  criminals. But even here God  did  not  abandon  him,  and  caused  him  to  find favour in  the  sight  of  the  keeper  of  the  prison,  who  gave  him charge of  all  the  prisoners. Amongst these  were  the  chief  butler and the  chief  baker  of  Pharao,  accused  of  treason  against  their king. After some  time,  they  both,  on  the  same  night,  had  a dream  which  perplexed  them  and  made  them  sad.

Joseph, perceiving  their  sadness,  asked  them,  saying:  “Why is your  countenance  sadder  to-day  than  usual?”  They  answered: “We have  dreamed  a dream,  and  there  is  nobody  to  interpret  it to  us.”  Joseph  said  to  them:  “Doth  not  interpretation  belong  to God? Tell me  what  you  have  dreamed.”

The chief  butler  first  told  his  dream:  “I  saw  before  me  a vine  on  which  were  three  branches  which  by  little  and  little  sent out buds; and  afterwards  the  blossoms  brought  forth  ripe  grapes. And the  cup  of  Pharao  was  in  my  hand,  and  I took  the  grapes, and pressed  them  into  the  cup  which  I held,  and  I gave  the  cup to Pharao.”

Joseph answered:  “This  is  the  interpretation  of  the  dream: The three  branches  are  yet  three  days,  after  which  Pharao  will restore thee  to  thy  former  place,  and  thou  shalt  present  him  the cup as  before. Only remember  me,  when  it  shall  be  well  with thee, and  do  me  this  kindness,  to  put  Pharao  in  mind  to  take  me out  of  this  prison!”