Joseph

The seven years of scarcity, which Joseph had foretold, began to come: and the famine prevailed in the whole world, but there was bread in all the land of Egypt.

And when there also they began to be famished, the people cried to Pharao, for food. And he said to them: Go to Joseph: and do all that he shall say to you.

And the famine increased daily in all the land: and Joseph opened all the barns, and sold to the Egyptians: for the famine had oppressed them also.

And all provinces came into Egypt, to buy food, and to seek some relief of their want.

So the ten brethren of Joseph went down, to buy corn in Egypt:

Whilst Benjamin was kept at home by Jacob, who said to his brethren: Lest perhaps he take any harm in the journey.

And Joseph was governor in the land of Egypt, and corn was sold by his direction to the people. And when his brethren had bowed down to him,

And he knew them, he spoke as it were to strangers, somewhat roughly, asking them: Whence came you? They answered: From the land of Chanaan, to buy necessaries of life.

And though he knew his brethren, he was not known by them.

And remembering the dreams, which formerly he had dreamed, he said to them: You are spies. You are come to view the weaker parts of the land.

He saith, This is it that I said: You are spies.

And the third day he brought them out of prison, and said: Do as I have said, and you shall live: for I fear God.

And they knew not that Joseph understood, because he spoke to them by an interpreter.

And taking Simeon, and binding him in their presence, he commanded his servants to fill their sacks with wheat, and to put every man's money again in their sacks, and to give them besides provisions for the way: and they did so.

Their father Jacob said: You have made me to be without children: Joseph is not living, Simeon is kept in bonds, and Benjamin you will take away: all these evils are fallen upon me.

So the men took the presents, and double money, and Benjamin: and went down into Egypt, and stood before Joseph.

And when he had seen them, and Benjamin with them, he commanded the steward of his house, saying: Bring in the men into the house, and kill victims, and prepare a feast: because they shall eat with me at noon.

He did as he was commanded, and brought the men into the house.

And they being much afraid, said there one to another: Because of the money, which we carried back the first time in our sacks, we are brought in: that he may bring upon us a false accusation, and by violence make slaves of us and our asses.

Wherefore, going up to the steward of the house, at the door,

And having brought them into the house, he fetched water, and they washed their feet, and he gave provender to their asses.

But they made ready the presents, against Joseph came at noon: for they had heard that they should eat bread there.

Then Joseph came in to his house, and they offered him the presents, holding them in their hands; and they bowed down with their face to the ground.

And he made haste, because his heart was moved upon his brother, and tears gushed out: and going into his chamber, he wept.

And in the mouth of the younger's sack put my silver cup, and the price which he gave for the wheat. And it was so done.