Study Desk

And when all the land of Egypt was in need of food, the people came crying to Pharaoh for bread; and Pharaoh said to the people, Go to Joseph, and whatever he says to you, do it.

And everywhere on the earth they were short of food; then Joseph, opening all his store-houses, gave the people of Egypt grain for money; so great was the need of food in the land of Egypt.

And all lands sent to Egypt, to Joseph, to get grain, for the need was great over all the earth.

And he said, I have had news that there is grain in Egypt: go down there and get grain for us, so that life and not death may be ours.

But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph's brother, with them, for fear, as he said, that some evil might come to him.

And the sons of Israel came with all the others to get grain: for they were very short of food in the land of Canaan.

So he put them in prison for three days.

And on the third day Joseph said to them, Do this, if you would keep your lives: for I am a god-fearing man:

If you are true men, let one of you be kept in prison, while you go and take grain for the needs of your families;

And they said to one another, Truly, we did wrong to our brother, for we saw his grief of mind, and we did not give ear to his prayers; that is why this trouble has come on us.

And Reuben said to them, Did I not say to you, Do the child no wrong? but you gave no attention; so now, punishment has come on us for his blood.

They were not conscious that the sense of their words was clear to Joseph, for he had been talking to them through one who had knowledge of their language.

Then Joseph gave orders for their bags to be made full of grain, and for every man's money to be put back into his bag, and for food to be given them for the journey: which was done.

And the ruler of the land said, In this way I may be certain that you are true men; let one of you be kept here with me, while you go and take grain for the needs of your families;

And he said, I will not let my son go down with you; for his brother is dead and he is all I have: if evil overtakes him on the journey, then through you will my grey head go down to the underworld in sorrow.

But if you will not send him, we will not go down: for the man said to us, You are not to come before me if your brother is not with you.

Put him into my care and make me responsible for him: if I do not give him safely back to you, let mine be the sin for ever.

And take twice as much money with you; that is to say, take back the money which was put in your bags, for it may have been an error;

And may God, the Ruler of all, give you mercy before the man, so that he may give you back your other brother and Benjamin. If my children are to be taken from me; there is no help for it.

So they took what their father said for the man, and twice as much money in their hands, and Benjamin, and went on their journey to Egypt, and came before Joseph.