Study Desk

So when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Then Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, "Go to Joseph; whatever he says to you, do."

And he said, "Indeed I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down to that place and buy for us there, that we may live and not die."

But Jacob did not send Joseph's brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he said, "Lest some calamity befall him."

And the sons of Israel went to buy grain among those who journeyed, for the famine was in the land of Canaan.

Then Joseph said to them the third day, "Do this and live, for I fear God:

If you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined to your prison house; but you, go and carry grain for the famine of your houses.

Then they said to one another, "We are truly guilty concerning our brother, for we saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded with us, and we would not hear; therefore this distress has come upon us."

But they did not know that Joseph understood them, for he spoke to them through an interpreter.

Then Joseph gave a command to fill their sacks with grain, to restore every man's money to his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. Thus he did for them.

"The man who is lord of the land spoke roughly to us, and took us for spies of the country.

Then the man, the lord of the country, said to us, "By this I will know that you are honest men: Leave one of your brothers here with me, take food for the famine of your households, and be gone.

But he said, "My son shall not go down with you, for his brother is dead, and he is left alone. If any calamity should befall him along the way in which you go, then you would bring down my gray hair with sorrow to the grave."

But if you will not send him, we will not go down; for the man said to us, "You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you."'

I myself will be surety for him; from my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever.

For if we had not lingered, surely by now we would have returned this second time."

And their father Israel said to them, "If it must be so, then do this: Take some of the best fruits of the land in your vessels and carry down a present for the man--a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds.

When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, "Take these men to my home, and slaughter an animal and make ready; for these men will dine with me at noon."

Then they made the present ready for Joseph's coming at noon, for they heard that they would eat bread there.

Now his heart yearned for his brother; so Joseph made haste and sought somewhere to weep. And he went into his chamber and wept there.

So they set him a place by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves; because the Egyptians could not eat food with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians.