Study Desk

Then they laid out the gift until Joseph came at noon, for they had heard that they were to eat food there.

Then Joseph hurried away, being overcome with emotion toward his brother, and sought for a place to cry. Then he went into a room and wept there.

And they served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who were eating with him by themselves, for Egyptians could not dine with Hebrews, because that was a detestable thing to Egyptians.

And my cup—the cup of silver—you shall put into the mouth of the sack of the youngest, and the money for his grain. And he did according to the word of Joseph that he had commanded.

They went out of the city, and had not gone far when Joseph said to the one who was over his house, "Arise! Pursue after the men and overtake them. Then you shall say to them, ‘Why have you repaid evil for good?

But he said, "Far be it from me to do this! The man in whose hand the cup was found, he will become my slave. But as for you, go up in peace to your father."

But Judah drew near to him and said, "Please my lord, let your servant speak a word in the ears of my lord, and let not your anger burn against your servant, for you are like Pharaoh himself.

And when our father said, ‘Buy a little food for us,'

then we said, ‘We cannot go down. If our youngest brother is with us, then we shall go down. For we will not be able to see the face of the man unless our youngest brother is with us.'

For your servant is pledged as surety for the boy by my father, saying, If I do not bring him to you, then I shall be culpable to my father forever.

For how can I go up to my father if the boy is not with me? I do not want to see the misery which will find my father."

Then Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?" And his brothers were unable to answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence.

So now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves that you sold me here, for God sent me as deliverance before you.

For these two years the famine has been in the midst of the land, but there will be five more years where there is no plowing or harvest.

And God sent me before you all to preserve for you a remnant in the land and to keep alive among you many survivors.

And I will provide for you there, because there are still five years of famine—lest you and your household and all that you have become destitute.'

And you Joseph, are commanded to say this: ‘Do this! Take wagons from the land of Egypt for your little ones and your wives, and bring your father and come!

Do not worry about your possessions, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.'"

And the sons of Israel did so. And Joseph gave them wagons at the word of Pharaoh, and gave them provisions for the journey.

And to his father he sent as follows: ten donkeys carrying the best of Egypt, and ten donkeys carrying grain and food and provisions for his father for the journey.