The Test and the Brothers' Guilt

18

and on the third day he said to them, “I fear God. So do this and you will live:

19

If you are honest, leave one of your brothers in custody while the rest of you go and take back grain to relieve the hunger of your households.

20

Then bring your youngest brother to me so that your words can be verified, that you may not die.” And to this they consented.

21

Then they said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw his anguish when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.”

22

And Reuben responded, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you would not listen. Now we must account for his blood!”

23

They did not realize that Joseph understood them, since there was an interpreter between them.

24

And he turned away from them and wept. When he turned back and spoke to them, he took Simeon from them and had him bound before their eyes.

25

Then Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, to return each man’s silver to his sack, and to give them provisions for their journey. This order was carried out,

26

and they loaded the grain on their donkeys and departed.

27

At the place where they lodged for the night, one of them opened his sack to get feed for his donkey, and he saw his silver in the mouth of the sack.

28

“My silver has been returned!” he said to his brothers. “It is here in my sack.” Their hearts sank, and trembling, they turned to one another and said, “What is this that God has done to us?”

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Reading Width 45 chars

Options