(vv. 1-34) And Joseph commanded him that was over his house, saying, Fill the men's sacks with meat, as much as they may carry, and put every man's money in the top of his sack. And put my silver cup in the top of the young man's sack, with the money for the goods. He did as Joseph had told him. In the morning, when it was light, they sent the men away with their donkeys. And when they were gone out of the city, and were not far off, Joseph said unto him that was over his house, Go and pursue after the men; and when thou seest them, speak unto them: Why have ye repaid good with evil? Is not this that my lord drinketh of, and that he prophesieth of? It is evil that ye have done. And when he had taken hold of them, he spoke such words to them. They answered him, "Why does my lord speak such words? Far be it from your servants to do such a thing. Behold, the money which we found in our sacks above, we have brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan. And how shall we have stolen silver or gold out of thy lord's house? If it is found among your servants, let him be put to death. And we also will be my lord's servants. And he said, Yea, as ye have said; in whomsoever it be found, he shall be my servant; but ye shall be free. And they hasted, and laid every man his sackcloth upon the earth, and opened every man his sackcloth. And he searched, and lifted up the greatest unto the youngest. Then the cup was found in Benjamin's sack. Then they rent their clothes, and loaded every man upon his ass, and departed again into the city. And Judah went with his brethren into Joseph's house: for he was yet there: and they fell down to the ground before him. And Joseph said unto them: What is this deed which ye have done? Know ye not that such a man as I am can guess? And Judah said, What shall we say unto my lord, or how shall we speak? And what shall we plead? GOD has not
iniquity of thy servants found. Behold, we and he with whom the cup is found are my lord's servants. And he said, Far be it from me to do this thing. The man with whom the cup was found shall be my servant, but you go up in peace to your father. Then Judah came to him, and said, My lord, let thy servant speak a word in thine ears, my lord; and let not thine anger be kindled against thy servant, because thou art like Pharaoh. And my lord asked his servants, saying, Have ye also a father or a brother? Then we answered: We have a father that is old, and a young lad begotten in his old age, and his brother is dead, and he is left alone of his mother, and his father loveth him. Then saidst thou [to thy servants], Bring him down unto me, and I will cast mine eyes upon him. But we answered my lord, The lad cannot come from his father: if he came from him, he would die. Then saidst thou unto thy servants: Where your youngest brother cometh not with you, ye shall see my face no more. So we went up to thy servant my father, and told him of my lord's speech. Then said our father, Go again, and buy us a little meat. But we said: We cannot go down, except our youngest brother be with us, and we will go down: for we cannot see the man's face, except our youngest brother be with us. Then thy servant my father said unto us, Ye know that my wife hath borne me two sons: one went out from me, and they say he is torn, and have not seen him hitherto. If you take this one also from me, and an accident befalls him, you will have my granen. You will lead my hair down to hell with lamentation. Now, if I come home to your servant, my father, and the boy is not with me, because his soul is attached to this soul, it will happen when he sees that the boy is not there, that he dies; so would we, your servants,
The gray hairs of thy servant, our father, with sorrow bring down to hell. For I, your servant, became surety for the boy against my father, saying, If I do not bring him back to you, I will bear the guilt all my life. Let your servant
stay here in the boy's place, to the servant of my lord, and drag the boy up with his brothers. For how shall I go up to my father, if the lad be not with me? I would have to see the misery that would befall my father.