1And the famine was severe in the land.
2And when they had eaten all the grain which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said to them, “Go back and buy us a little food”.
3And Judah said to him, “The man did solemnly warn us: “You shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you.
4If you will send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food:
5But if you will not send him, we will not go down; for the man told us, “You shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you”.”
6And Israel (Jacob) said, “Why did you deal so ill with me, as to tell the man that you had yet another brother?”
7And they said, “The man asked us carefully of our state, and of our kindred, saying, ‘Is your father yet alive? Have you; another brother?” And we told him according to the tenor of these words. Could we certainly know that he would say, “Bring your brother down?”’”
8And Judah said to Israel, his father, “Send the lad with me, and we will go; that we may live, and not die, both we, and you, as well as our little ones.
9I will be surety for him; of my hand shall you require him: if I do not return him, and set him before you, then let me bear the blame for ever:
10For if we had lingered, surely by now we would have returned this second time.”
11And their father, Israel, said to them, “If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry a present down the man, a little balm, a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds;
12And take twice the money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again in your hand; perhaps it was an oversight:
13Take also your brother, and go again to the man:
14And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send back your other brother, and Benjamin. If I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.”
15And they took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.
16And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he told the ruler of his house, “Bring these men home, slaughter an animal, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon”.
17And the man did as Joseph said; and the man brought the men into Joseph's house.
18And the men were afraid, when they were brought into Joseph's house; and they said, “Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time we are brought here; that he may seek occasion against us, and take us for slaves, and our donkeys.
19And they came near to the steward of Joseph's house, and they spoke with him at the entrance of the house,
20And said, “O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:
21And when we came to the inn, we opened our sacks, and every man's money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight: and we have brought it back again in our hand.
22And additional money have we brought down in our hands to buy food: we cannot tell who put our money in our sacks”.
23And he said, “Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money”. And he brought Simeon out to them.
24And the man brought the men into Joseph's house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their donkeys fodder.
25And they made ready the present for Joseph's coming at noon: for they heard that they would eat bread there.
26And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present into the house, and bowed themselves to him.
27And he asked them of their welfare, and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you; spoke? Is he yet alive?”
28And they answered, “Your servant, our father is in good health, he is yet alive”. And they bowed their heads, and made obeisance.
29And he looked up, and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, “Is this your younger brother, of whom you spoke?” And Joseph said, “God be gracious to you, my son”.
30And Joseph made haste; for his heart yearned over his brother: and he sought somewhere to weep; and he went into his chamber, and wept there.
31And he washed his face, and went out, and controlled himself, and said, “Set on food”.
32And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, who ate with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians would not eat with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination to the Egyptians.
33And they sat before him, in order of their birth - the first-born according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marveled one at another.
34And he sent messes (portions of food) to them from before him: but Benjamin's portion was five times as much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him. Easy Reader Bible: Purple Letter Edition © 2023 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. Bible Hub |
    |