Genesis 37:21-24 ▼

21 But when Reuben heard this, he tried to save him from their hands, saying: “We must not take his life.”

22 Then Reuben said, “Do not shed blood! Throw him into this cistern in the wilderness; but do not lay a hand on him.” His purpose was to save him from their hands and restore him to his father.

23 So when Joseph came up to his brothers, they stripped him of his tunic, the long ornamented tunic he had on;

24 then they took him and threw him into the cistern. The cistern was empty; there was no water in it.