Study Desk

And when Joseph saw Benjamin, he said to his chief servant, Take these men into my house, and make ready a meal, for they will take food with me in the middle of the day.

Now the men were full of fear because they had been taken into Joseph's house and they said, It is because of the money which was put back in our bags the first time; he is looking for something against us, so that he may come down on us and take us and our asses for his use.

Then the servant said, Peace be with you: have no fear: your God, even the God of your father, has put wealth in your bags for you: I had your money. Then he let Simeon come out to them.

And the servant took them into Joseph's house, and gave them water for washing their feet; and he gave their asses food.

And they got ready the things for Joseph before he came in the middle of the day: for word was given to them that they were to have a meal there.

And when Joseph came in, they gave him the things which they had for him, and went down to the earth before him.

Then Joseph's heart went out to his brother, and he went quickly into his room, for he was overcome with weeping.

And they put a meal ready for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians who were with him by themselves; because the Egyptians may not take food with the Hebrews, for that would make them unclean.

And when they had gone only a little way out of the town, Joseph said to the servant who was over his house, Go after them; and when you overtake them, say to them, Why have you done evil in reward for good?

Then Judah came near him, and said, Let your servant say a word in my lord's ears, and let not your wrath be burning against your servant: for you are in the place of Pharaoh to us.

And we said to my lord, His father will not let him go; for if he went away his father would come to his death.

And we said, Only if our youngest brother goes with us will we go down; for we may not see the man's face again if our youngest brother is not with us.

For I made myself responsible for the boy to my father, saying, If I do not give him safely back to you, let mine be the sin for ever.

For how may I go back to my father without the boy, and see the evil which will come on my father?

Then Joseph, unable to keep back his feelings before those who were with him, gave orders for everyone to be sent away, and no one was present when he made clear to his brothers who he was.

And Joseph said to his brothers, I am Joseph: is my father still living? But his brothers were not able to give him an answer for they were troubled before him.

Now do not be troubled or angry with yourselves for sending me away, because God sent me before you to be the saviour of your lives.

For these two years have been years of need, and there are still five more years to come in which there will be no ploughing or cutting of grain.

And there I will take care of you, so that you and your family may not be in need, for there are still five bad years to come.

And say to them, This you are to do: take carts from the land of Egypt for your little ones and for your wives, and get your father and come back.