Gen.43.1

The famine got worse.

Gen.43.1

Now the famine was still severe in the land.

Gen.43.1

Now the famine was severe in the land.

Gen.43.1

But there was no relief from the terrible famine throughout the land.

Gen.43.2

When they had eaten all the food they had brought back from Egypt, their father said, "Go back and get some more food."

Gen.43.2

So when they had eaten all the grain they had brought from Egypt, their father said to them, "Go back and buy us a little more food."

Gen.43.2

And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the grain which they had brought from Egypt, that their father said to them, "Go back, buy us a little food."

Gen.43.2

When the grain they had brought from Egypt was almost gone, Jacob said to his sons, "Go again and buy us a little food."

Gen.43.3

But Judah said, "The man warned us most emphatically, "You won't so much as see my face if you don't have your brother with you.'

Gen.43.3

But Judah said to him, "The man warned us solemnly, 'You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.'

Gen.43.3

But Judah spoke to him, saying, "The man solemnly warned us, saying, "You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you.'

Gen.43.3

But Judah said, "The man wasn't joking when he warned that we couldn't see him again unless Benjamin came along.

Gen.43.4

If you're ready to release our brother to go with us, we'll go down and get you food.

Gen.43.4

If you will send our brother along with us, we will go down and buy food for you.

Gen.43.4

If you send our brother with us, we will go down and buy you food.

Gen.43.4

If you let him come with us, we will go down and buy some food.

Gen.43.5

But if you're not ready, we aren't going. What would be the use? The man told us, "You won't so much as see my face if you don't have your brother with you.'"

Gen.43.5

But if you will not send him, we will not go down, because the man said to us, 'You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.'"

Gen.43.5

But if you will not send him, we will not go down; for the man said to us, "You shall not see my face unless your brother is with you."'

Gen.43.5

But if you don't let Benjamin go, we may as well stay at home. Remember that the man said, `You won't be allowed to come and see me unless your brother is with you.'"

Gen.43.6

Israel said, "Why are you making my life so difficult! Why did you ever tell the man you had another brother?"

Gen.43.6

Israel asked, "Why did you bring this trouble on me by telling the man you had another brother?"

Gen.43.6

And Israel said, "Why did you deal so wrongfully with me as to tell the man whether you had still another brother?"

Gen.43.6

"Why did you ever tell him you had another brother?" Jacob moaned. "Why did you have to treat me with such cruelty?"

Gen.43.7

They said, "The man pressed us hard, asking pointed questions about our family: "Is your father alive? Do you have another brother?' So we answered his questions. How did we know that he'd say, "Bring your brother here'?"

Gen.43.7

They replied, "The man questioned us closely about ourselves and our family. 'Is your father still living?' he asked us. 'Do you have another brother?' We simply answered his questions. How were we to know he would say, 'Bring your brother down here'?"

Gen.43.7

But they said, "The man asked us pointedly about ourselves and our family, saying, "Is your father still alive? Have you another brother?' And we told him according to these words. Could we possibly have known that he would say, "Bring your brother down'?"

Gen.43.7

"But the man specifically asked us about our family," they replied. "He wanted to know whether our father was still living, and he asked us if we had another brother so we told him. How could we have known he would say, `Bring me your brother'?"

Gen.43.8

Judah pushed his father Israel. "Let the boy go; I'll take charge of him. Let us go and be on our way--if we don't get going, we're all going to starve to death--we and you and our children too!

Gen.43.8

Then Judah said to Israel his father, "Send the boy along with me and we will go at once, so that we and you and our children may live and not die.

Gen.43.8

Then Judah said to Israel his father, "Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, both we and you and also our little ones.

Gen.43.8

Judah said to his father, "Send the boy with me, and we will be on our way. Otherwise we will all die of starvation--and not only we, but you and our little ones.

Gen.43.9

I'll take full responsibility for his safety; it's my life on the line for his. If I don't bring him back safe and sound, I'm the guilty one; I'll take all the blame.

Gen.43.9

I myself will guarantee his safety; you can hold me personally responsible for him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him here before you, I will bear the blame before you all my life.

Gen.43.9

I myself will be surety for him; from my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever.

Gen.43.9

I personally guarantee his safety. If I don't bring him back to you, then let me bear the blame forever.

Gen.43.10

If we had gone ahead in the first place instead of procrastinating like this, we could have been there and back twice over."

Gen.43.10

As it is, if we had not delayed, we could have gone and returned twice."

Gen.43.10

For if we had not lingered, surely by now we would have returned this second time."

Gen.43.10

For we could have gone and returned twice by this time if you had let him come without delay."

Gen.43.11

Their father Israel gave in. "If it has to be, it has to be. But do this: stuff your packs with the finest products from the land you can find and take them to the man as gifts--some balm and honey, some spices and perfumes, some pistachios and almonds.

Gen.43.11

Then their father Israel said to them, "If it must be, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift-a little balm and a little honey, some spices and myrrh, some pistachio nuts and almonds.

Gen.43.11

And their father Israel said to them, "If it must be so, then do this: Take some of the best fruits of the land in your vessels and carry down a present for the man--a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds.

Gen.43.11

So their father, Jacob, finally said to them, "If it can't be avoided, then at least do this. Fill your bags with the best products of the land. Take them to the man as gifts--balm, honey, spices, myrrh, pistachio nuts, and almonds.

Gen.43.12

And take plenty of money--pay back double what was returned to your sacks; that might have been a mistake.

Gen.43.12

Take double the amount of silver with you, for you must return the silver that was put back into the mouths of your sacks. Perhaps it was a mistake.

Gen.43.12

Take double money in your hand, and take back in your hand the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks; perhaps it was an oversight.

Gen.43.12

Take double the money that you found in your sacks, as it was probably someone's mistake.

Gen.43.13

Take your brother and get going. Go back to the man.

Gen.43.13

Take your brother also and go back to the man at once.

Gen.43.13

Take your brother also, and arise, go back to the man.

Gen.43.13

Then take your brother and go back to the man.

Gen.43.14

And may The Strong God give you grace in that man's eyes so that he'll send back your other brother along with Benjamin. For me, nothing's left; I've lost everything."

Gen.43.14

And may God Almighty grant you mercy before the man so that he will let your other brother and Benjamin come back with you. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved."

Gen.43.14

And may God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved, I am bereaved!"

Gen.43.14

May God Almighty give you mercy as you go before the man, that he might release Simeon and return Benjamin. And if I must bear the anguish of their deaths, then so be it."

Gen.43.15

The men took the gifts, double the money, and Benjamin. They lost no time in getting to Egypt and meeting Joseph.

Gen.43.15

So the men took the gifts and double the amount of silver, and Benjamin also. They hurried down to Egypt and presented themselves to Joseph.

Gen.43.15

So the men took that present and Benjamin, and they took double money in their hand, and arose and went down to Egypt; and they stood before Joseph.

Gen.43.15

So they took Benjamin and the gifts and double the money and hurried to Egypt, where they presented themselves to Joseph.

Gen.43.16

When Joseph saw that they had Benjamin with them, he told his house steward, "Take these men into the house and make them at home. Butcher an animal and prepare a meal; these men are going to eat with me at noon."

Gen.43.16

When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, "Take these men to my house, slaughter an animal and prepare dinner; they are to eat with me at noon."

Gen.43.16

When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, "Take these men to my home, and slaughter an animal and make ready; for these men will dine with me at noon."

Gen.43.16

When Joseph saw that Benjamin was with them, he said to the manager of his household, "These men will eat with me this noon. Take them inside and prepare a big feast."

Gen.43.17

The steward did what Joseph had said and took them inside.

Gen.43.17

The man did as Joseph told him and took the men to Joseph's house.

Gen.43.17

Then the man did as Joseph ordered, and the man brought the men into Joseph's house.

Gen.43.17

So the man did as he was told and took them to Joseph's palace.

Gen.43.18

But they became anxious when they were brought into Joseph's home, thinking, "It's the money; he thinks we ran off with the money on our first trip down here. And now he's got us where he wants us--he's going to turn us into slaves and confiscate our donkeys."

Gen.43.18

Now the men were frightened when they were taken to his house. They thought, "We were brought here because of the silver that was put back into our sacks the first time. He wants to attack us and overpower us and seize us as slaves and take our donkeys."

Gen.43.18

Now the men were afraid because they were brought into Joseph's house; and they said, "It is because of the money, which was returned in our sacks the first time, that we are brought in, so that he may make a case against us and seize us, to take us as slaves with our donkeys."

Gen.43.18

They were badly frightened when they saw where they were being taken. "It's because of the money returned to us in our sacks," they said. "He plans to pretend that we stole it. Then he will seize us as slaves and take our donkeys."

Gen.43.19

So they went up to Joseph's house steward and talked to him in the doorway.

Gen.43.19

So they went up to Joseph's steward and spoke to him at the entrance to the house.

Gen.43.19

When they drew near to the steward of Joseph's house, they talked with him at the door of the house,

Gen.43.19

As the brothers arrived at the entrance to the palace, they went over to the man in charge of Joseph's household.

Gen.43.20

They said, "Listen, master. We came down here one other time to buy food.

Gen.43.20

"Please, sir," they said, "we came down here the first time to buy food.

Gen.43.20

and said, "O sir, we indeed came down the first time to buy food;

Gen.43.20

They said to him, "Sir, after our first trip to Egypt to buy food,

Gen.43.21

On our way home, the first night out we opened our bags and found our money at the mouth of the bag--the exact amount we'd paid. We've brought it all back

Gen.43.21

But at the place where we stopped for the night we opened our sacks and each of us found his silver-the exact weight-in the mouth of his sack. So we have brought it back with us.

Gen.43.21

but it happened, when we came to the encampment, that we opened our sacks, and there, each man's money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight; so we have brought it back in our hand.

Gen.43.21

as we were returning home, we stopped for the night and opened our sacks. The money we had used to pay for the grain was there in our sacks. Here it is; we have brought it back again.

Gen.43.22

and have plenty more to buy more food with. We have no idea who put the money in our bags."

Gen.43.22

We have also brought additional silver with us to buy food. We don't know who put our silver in our sacks."

Gen.43.22

And we have brought down other money in our hands to buy food. We do not know who put our money in our sacks."

Gen.43.22

We also have additional money to buy more grain. We have no idea how the money got into our sacks."

Gen.43.23

The steward said, "Everything's in order. Don't worry. Your God and the God of your father must have given you a bonus. I was paid in full." And with that, he presented Simeon to them.

Gen.43.23

"It's all right," he said. "Don't be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks; I received your silver." Then he brought Simeon out to them.

Gen.43.23

But he said, "Peace be with you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks; I had your money." Then he brought Simeon out to them.

Gen.43.23

"Relax. Don't worry about it," the household manager told them. "Your God, the God of your ancestors, must have put it there. We collected your money all right." Then he released Simeon and brought him out to them.

Gen.43.24

He then took them inside Joseph's house and made them comfortable--gave them water to wash their feet and saw to the feeding of their donkeys.

Gen.43.24

The steward took the men into Joseph's house, gave them water to wash their feet and provided fodder for their donkeys.

Gen.43.24

So the man brought the men into Joseph's house and gave them water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their donkeys feed.

Gen.43.24

The brothers were then led into the palace and given water to wash their feet and food for their donkeys.

Gen.43.25

The brothers spread out their gifts as they waited for Joseph to show up at noon--they had been told that they were to have dinner with him.

Gen.43.25

They prepared their gifts for Joseph's arrival at noon, because they had heard that they were to eat there.

Gen.43.25

Then they made the present ready for Joseph's coming at noon, for they heard that they would eat bread there.

Gen.43.25

They were told they would be eating there, so they prepared their gifts for Joseph's arrival at noon.

Gen.43.26

When Joseph got home, they presented him with the gifts they had brought and bowed respectfully before him.

Gen.43.26

When Joseph came home, they presented to him the gifts they had brought into the house, and they bowed down before him to the ground.

Gen.43.26

And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed down before him to the earth.

Gen.43.26

When Joseph came, they gave him their gifts and bowed low before him.

Gen.43.27

Joseph welcomed them and said, "And your old father whom you mentioned to me, how is he? Is he still alive?"

Gen.43.27

He asked them how they were, and then he said, "How is your aged father you told me about? Is he still living?"

Gen.43.27

Then he asked them about their well-being, and said, "Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?"

Gen.43.27

He asked them how they had been getting along, and then he said, "How is your father--the old man you spoke about? Is he still alive?"

Gen.43.28

They said, "Yes--your servant our father is quite well, very much alive." And they again bowed respectfully before him.

Gen.43.28

They replied, "Your servant our father is still alive and well." And they bowed low to pay him honor.

Gen.43.28

And they answered, "Your servant our father is in good health; he is still alive." And they bowed their heads down and prostrated themselves.

Gen.43.28

"Yes," they replied. "He is alive and well." Then they bowed again before him.

Gen.43.29

Then Joseph picked out his brother Benjamin, his own mother's son. He asked, "And is this your youngest brother that you told me about?" Then he said, "God be gracious to you, my son."

Gen.43.29

As he looked about and saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother's son, he asked, "Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?" And he said, "God be gracious to you, my son."

Gen.43.29

Then he lifted his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother's son, and said, "Is this your younger brother of whom you spoke to me?" And he said, "God be gracious to you, my son."

Gen.43.29

Looking at his brother Benjamin, Joseph asked, "Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about? May God be gracious to you, my son."

Gen.43.30

Deeply moved on seeing his brother and about to burst into tears, Joseph hurried out into another room and had a good cry.

Gen.43.30

Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. He went into his private room and wept there.

Gen.43.30

Now his heart yearned for his brother; so Joseph made haste and sought somewhere to weep. And he went into his chamber and wept there.

Gen.43.30

Then Joseph made a hasty exit because he was overcome with emotion for his brother and wanted to cry. Going into his private room, he wept there.

Gen.43.31

Then he washed his face, got a grip on himself, and said, "Let's eat."

Gen.43.31

After he had washed his face, he came out and, controlling himself, said, "Serve the food."

Gen.43.31

Then he washed his face and came out; and he restrained himself, and said, "Serve the bread."

Gen.43.31

Then he washed his face and came out, keeping himself under control. "Bring on the food!" he ordered.

Gen.43.32

Joseph was served at his private table, the brothers off by themselves and the Egyptians off by themselves (Egyptians won't eat at the same table with Hebrews; it's repulsive to them).

Gen.43.32

They served him by himself, the brothers by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because Egyptians could not eat with Hebrews, for that is detestable to Egyptians.

Gen.43.32

So they set him a place by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves; because the Egyptians could not eat food with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians.

Gen.43.32

Joseph ate by himself, and his brothers were served at a separate table. The Egyptians sat at their own table because Egyptians despise Hebrews and refuse to eat with them.

Gen.43.33

The brothers were seated facing Joseph, arranged in order of their age, from the oldest to the youngest. They looked at one another wide-eyed, wondering what would happen next.

Gen.43.33

The men had been seated before him in the order of their ages, from the firstborn to the youngest; and they looked at each other in astonishment.

Gen.43.33

And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth; and the men looked in astonishment at one another.

Gen.43.33

Joseph told each of his brothers where to sit, and to their amazement, he seated them in the order of their ages, from oldest to youngest.

Gen.43.34

When the brothers' plates were served from Joseph's table, Benjamin's plate came piled high, far more so than his brothers. And so the brothers feasted with Joseph, drinking freely.

Gen.43.34

When portions were served to them from Joseph's table, Benjamin's portion was five times as much as anyone else's. So they feasted and drank freely with him.

Gen.43.34

Then he took servings to them from before him, but Benjamin's serving was five times as much as any of theirs. So they drank and were merry with him.

Gen.43.34

Their food was served to them from Joseph's own table. He gave the largest serving to Benjamin--five times as much as to any of the others. So they all feasted and drank freely with him.

Gen.44.1

Joseph ordered his house steward: "Fill the men's bags with food--all they can carry--and replace each one's money at the top of the bag.

Gen.44.1

Now Joseph gave these instructions to the steward of his house: "Fill the men's sacks with as much food as they can carry, and put each man's silver in the mouth of his sack.

Gen.44.1

And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, "Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put each man's money in the mouth of his sack.

Gen.44.1

When his brothers were ready to leave, Joseph gave these instructions to the man in charge of his household: "Fill each of their sacks with as much grain as they can carry, and put each man's money back into his sack.

Gen.44.2

Then put my chalice, my silver chalice, in the top of the bag of the youngest, along with the money for his food." He did as Joseph ordered.

Gen.44.2

Then put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of the youngest one's sack, along with the silver for his grain." And he did as Joseph said.

Gen.44.2

Also put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, and his grain money." So he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken.

Gen.44.2

Then put my personal silver cup at the top of the youngest brother's sack, along with his grain money." So the household manager did as he was told.

Gen.44.3

At break of day the men were sent off with their donkeys.

Gen.44.3

As morning dawned, the men were sent on their way with their donkeys.

Gen.44.3

As soon as the morning dawned, the men were sent away, they and their donkeys.

Gen.44.3

The brothers were up at dawn and set out on their journey with their loaded donkeys.

Gen.44.4

They were barely out of the city when Joseph said to his house steward, "Run after them. When you catch up with them, say, "Why did you pay me back evil for good?

Gen.44.4

They had not gone far from the city when Joseph said to his steward, "Go after those men at once, and when you catch up with them, say to them, 'Why have you repaid good with evil?

Gen.44.4

When they had gone out of the city, and were not yet far off, Joseph said to his steward, "Get up, follow the men; and when you overtake them, say to them, "Why have you repaid evil for good?

Gen.44.4

But when they were barely out of the city, Joseph said to his household manager, "Chase after them and stop them. Ask them, `Why have you repaid an act of kindness with such evil?

Gen.44.5

This is the chalice my master drinks from; he also uses it for divination. This is outrageous!'"

Gen.44.5

Isn't this the cup my master drinks from and also uses for divination? This is a wicked thing you have done.'"

Gen.44.5

Is not this the one from which my lord drinks, and with which he indeed practices divination? You have done evil in so doing."'

Gen.44.5

What do you mean by stealing my master's personal silver drinking cup, which he uses to predict the future? What a wicked thing you have done!'"

Gen.44.6

He caught up with them and repeated all this word for word.

Gen.44.6

When he caught up with them, he repeated these words to them.

Gen.44.6

So he overtook them, and he spoke to them these same words.

Gen.44.6

So the man caught up with them and spoke to them in the way he had been instructed.

Gen.44.7

They said, "What is my master talking about? We would never do anything like that!

Gen.44.7

But they said to him, "Why does my lord say such things? Far be it from your servants to do anything like that!

Gen.44.7

And they said to him, "Why does my lord say these words? Far be it from us that your servants should do such a thing.

Gen.44.7

"What are you talking about?" the brothers responded. "What kind of people do you think we are, that you accuse us of such a terrible thing?

Gen.44.8

Why, the money we found in our bags earlier, we brought back all the way from Canaan--do you think we'd turn right around and steal it back from your master?

Gen.44.8

We even brought back to you from the land of Canaan the silver we found inside the mouths of our sacks. So why would we steal silver or gold from your master's house?

Gen.44.8

Look, we brought back to you from the land of Canaan the money which we found in the mouth of our sacks. How then could we steal silver or gold from your lord's house?

Gen.44.8

Didn't we bring back the money we found in our sacks? Why would we steal silver or gold from your master's house?

Gen.44.9

If that chalice is found on any of us, he'll die; and the rest of us will be your master's slaves."

Gen.44.9

If any of your servants is found to have it, he will die; and the rest of us will become my lord's slaves."

Gen.44.9

With whomever of your servants it is found, let him die, and we also will be my lord's slaves."

Gen.44.9

If you find his cup with any one of us, let that one die. And all the rest of us will be your master's slaves forever."

Gen.44.10

The steward said, "Very well then, but we won't go that far. Whoever is found with the chalice will be my slave; the rest of you can go free."

Gen.44.10

"Very well, then," he said, "let it be as you say. Whoever is found to have it will become my slave; the rest of you will be free from blame."

Gen.44.10

And he said, "Now also let it be according to your words; he with whom it is found shall be my slave, and you shall be blameless."

Gen.44.10

"Fair enough," the man replied, "except that only the one who stole it will be a slave. The rest of you may go free."

Gen.44.11

They outdid each other in putting their bags on the ground and opening them up for inspection.

Gen.44.11

Each of them quickly lowered his sack to the ground and opened it.

Gen.44.11

Then each man speedily let down his sack to the ground, and each opened his sack.

Gen.44.11

They quickly took their sacks from the backs of their donkeys and opened them.

Gen.44.12

The steward searched their bags, going from oldest to youngest. The chalice showed up in Benjamin's bag.

Gen.44.12

Then the steward proceeded to search, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.

Gen.44.12

So he searched. He began with the oldest and left off with the youngest; and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.

Gen.44.12

Joseph's servant began searching the oldest brother's sack, going on down the line to the youngest. The cup was found in Benjamin's sack!

Gen.44.13

They ripped their clothes in despair, loaded up their donkeys, and went back to the city.

Gen.44.13

At this, they tore their clothes. Then they all loaded their donkeys and returned to the city.

Gen.44.13

Then they tore their clothes, and each man loaded his donkey and returned to the city.

Gen.44.13

At this, they tore their clothing in despair, loaded the donkeys again, and returned to the city.

Gen.44.14

Joseph was still at home when Judah and his brothers got back. They threw themselves down on the ground in front of him.

Gen.44.14

Joseph was still in the house when Judah and his brothers came in, and they threw themselves to the ground before him.

Gen.44.14

So Judah and his brothers came to Joseph's house, and he was still there; and they fell before him on the ground.

Gen.44.14

Joseph was still at home when Judah and his brothers arrived, and they fell to the ground before him.

Gen.44.15

Joseph accused them: "How can you have done this? You have to know that a man in my position would have discovered this."

Gen.44.15

Joseph said to them, "What is this you have done? Don't you know that a man like me can find things out by divination?"

Gen.44.15

And Joseph said to them, "What deed is this you have done? Did you not know that such a man as I can certainly practice divination?"

Gen.44.15

"What were you trying to do?" Joseph demanded. "Didn't you know that a man such as I would know who stole it?"

Gen.44.16

Judah as spokesman for the brothers said, "What can we say, master? What is there to say? How can we prove our innocence? God is behind this, exposing how bad we are. We stand guilty before you and ready to be your slaves--we're all in this together, the rest of us as guilty as the one with the chalice."

Gen.44.16

"What can we say to my lord?" Judah replied. "What can we say? How can we prove our innocence? God has uncovered your servants' guilt. We are now my lord's slaves-we ourselves and the one who was found to have the cup."

Gen.44.16

Then Judah said, "What shall we say to my lord? What shall we speak? Or how shall we clear ourselves? God has found out the iniquity of your servants; here we are, my lord's slaves, both we and he also with whom the cup was found."

Gen.44.16

And Judah said, "Oh, my lord, what can we say to you? How can we plead? How can we prove our innocence? God is punishing us for our sins. My lord, we have all returned to be your slaves--we and our brother who had your cup in his sack."

Gen.44.17

"I'd never do that to you," said Joseph. "Only the one involved with the chalice will be my slave. The rest of you are free to go back to your father."

Gen.44.17

But Joseph said, "Far be it from me to do such a thing! Only the man who was found to have the cup will become my slave. The rest of you, go back to your father in peace."

Gen.44.17

But he said, "Far be it from me that I should do so; the man in whose hand the cup was found, he shall be my slave. And as for you, go up in peace to your father."

Gen.44.17

"No," Joseph said. "Only the man who stole the cup will be my slave. The rest of you may go home to your father."

Gen.44.18

Judah came forward. He said, "Please, master; can I say just one thing to you? Don't get angry. Don't think I'm presumptuous--you're the same as Pharaoh as far as I'm concerned.

Gen.44.18

Then Judah went up to him and said: "Please, my lord, let your servant speak a word to my lord. Do not be angry with your servant, though you are equal to Pharaoh himself.

Gen.44.18

Then Judah came near to him and said: "O my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord's hearing, and do not let your anger burn against your servant; for you are even like Pharaoh.

Gen.44.18

Then Judah stepped forward and said, "My lord, let me say just this one word to you. Be patient with me for a moment, for I know you could have me killed in an instant, as though you were Pharaoh himself.

Gen.44.19

You, master, asked us, "Do you have a father and a brother?'

Gen.44.19

My lord asked his servants, 'Do you have a father or a brother?'

Gen.44.19

My lord asked his servants, saying, "Have you a father or a brother?'

Gen.44.19

"You asked us, my lord, if we had a father or a brother.

Gen.44.20

And we answered honestly, "We have a father who is old and a younger brother who was born to him in his old age. His brother is dead and he is the only son left from that mother. And his father loves him more than anything.'

Gen.44.20

And we answered, 'We have an aged father, and there is a young son born to him in his old age. His brother is dead, and he is the only one of his mother's sons left, and his father loves him.'

Gen.44.20

And we said to my lord, "We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, who is young; his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother's children, and his father loves him.'

Gen.44.20

We said, `Yes, we have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, his youngest son. His brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother's children, and his father loves him very much.'

Gen.44.21

"Then you told us, "Bring him down here so I can see him.'

Gen.44.21

"Then you said to your servants, 'Bring him down to me so I can see him for myself.'

Gen.44.21

Then you said to your servants, "Bring him down to me, that I may set my eyes on him.'

Gen.44.21

And you said to us, `Bring him here so I can see him.'

Gen.44.22

We told you, master, that it was impossible: "The boy can't leave his father; if he leaves, his father will die.'

Gen.44.22

And we said to my lord, 'The boy cannot leave his father; if he leaves him, his father will die.'

Gen.44.22

And we said to my lord, "The lad cannot leave his father, for if he should leave his father, his father would die.'

Gen.44.22

But we said to you, `My lord, the boy cannot leave his father, for his father would die.'

Gen.44.23

"And then you said, "If your youngest brother doesn't come with you, you won't be allowed to see me.'

Gen.44.23

But you told your servants, 'Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you will not see my face again.'

Gen.44.23

But you said to your servants, "Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, you shall see my face no more.'

Gen.44.23

But you told us, `You may not see me again unless your youngest brother is with you.'

Gen.44.24

"When we returned to our father, we told him everything you said to us.

Gen.44.24

When we went back to your servant my father, we told him what my lord had said.

Gen.44.24

"So it was, when we went up to your servant my father, that we told him the words of my lord.

Gen.44.24

So we returned to our father and told him what you had said.

Gen.44.25

So when our father said, "Go back and buy some more food,'

Gen.44.25

"Then our father said, 'Go back and buy a little more food.'

Gen.44.25

And our father said, "Go back and buy us a little food.'

Gen.44.25

And when he said, `Go back again and buy us a little food,'

Gen.44.26

we told him flatly, "We can't. The only way we can go back is if our youngest brother is with us. We aren't allowed to even see the man if our youngest brother doesn't come with us.'

Gen.44.26

But we said, 'We cannot go down. Only if our youngest brother is with us will we go. We cannot see the man's face unless our youngest brother is with us.'

Gen.44.26

But we said, "We cannot go down; if our youngest brother is with us, then we will go down; for we may not see the man's face unless our youngest brother is with us.'

Gen.44.26

we replied, `We can't unless you let our youngest brother go with us. We won't be allowed to see the man in charge of the grain unless our youngest brother is with us.'

Gen.44.27

"Your servant, my father, told us, "You know very well that my wife gave me two sons.

Gen.44.27

"Your servant my father said to us, 'You know that my wife bore me two sons.

Gen.44.27

Then your servant my father said to us, "You know that my wife bore me two sons;

Gen.44.27

Then my father said to us, `You know that my wife had two sons,

Gen.44.28

One turned up missing. I concluded that he'd been ripped to pieces. I've never seen him since.

Gen.44.28

One of them went away from me, and I said, "He has surely been torn to pieces." And I have not seen him since.

Gen.44.28

and the one went out from me, and I said, "Surely he is torn to pieces"; and I have not seen him since.

Gen.44.28

and that one of them went away and never returned--doubtless torn to pieces by some wild animal. I have never seen him since.

Gen.44.29

If you now go and take this one and something bad happens to him, you'll put my old gray, grieving head in the grave for sure.'

Gen.44.29

If you take this one from me too and harm comes to him, you will bring my gray head down to the grave in misery.'

Gen.44.29

But if you take this one also from me, and calamity befalls him, you shall bring down my gray hair with sorrow to the grave.'

Gen.44.29

If you take away his brother from me, too, and any harm comes to him, you would bring my gray head down to the grave in deep sorrow.'

Gen.44.30

"And now, can't you see that if I show up before your servant, my father, without the boy, this son with whom his life is so bound up,

Gen.44.30

"So now, if the boy is not with us when I go back to your servant my father and if my father, whose life is closely bound up with the boy's life,

Gen.44.30

"Now therefore, when I come to your servant my father, and the lad is not with us, since his life is bound up in the lad's life,

Gen.44.30

"And now, my lord, I cannot go back to my father without the boy. Our father's life is bound up in the boy's life.

Gen.44.31

the moment he realizes the boy is gone, he'll die on the spot. He'll die of grief and we, your servants who are standing here before you, will have killed him.

Gen.44.31

sees that the boy isn't there, he will die. Your servants will bring the gray head of our father down to the grave in sorrow.

Gen.44.31

it will happen, when he sees that the lad is not with us, that he will die. So your servants will bring down the gray hair of your servant our father with sorrow to the grave.

Gen.44.31

When he sees that the boy is not with us, our father will die. We will be responsible for bringing his gray head down to the grave in sorrow.

Gen.44.32

And that's not all. I got my father to release the boy to show him to you by promising, "If I don't bring him back, I'll stand condemned before you, Father, all my life.'

Gen.44.32

Your servant guaranteed the boy's safety to my father. I said, 'If I do not bring him back to you, I will bear the blame before you, my father, all my life!'

Gen.44.32

For your servant became surety for the lad to my father, saying, "If I do not bring him back to you, then I shall bear the blame before my father forever.'

Gen.44.32

My lord, I made a pledge to my father that I would take care of the boy. I told him, `If I don't bring him back to you, I will bear the blame forever.'

Gen.44.33

"So let me stay here as your slave, not this boy. Let the boy go back with his brothers.

Gen.44.33

"Now then, please let your servant remain here as my lord's slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers.

Gen.44.33

Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the lad as a slave to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brothers.

Gen.44.33

Please, my lord, let me stay here as a slave instead of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers.

Gen.44.34

How can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? Oh, don't make me go back and watch my father die in grief!"

Gen.44.34

How can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? No! Do not let me see the misery that would come upon my father."

Gen.44.34

For how shall I go up to my father if the lad is not with me, lest perhaps I see the evil that would come upon my father?"

Gen.44.34

For how can I return to my father if the boy is not with me? I cannot bear to see what this would do to him."