TorahOld Testament
Chapter 43· Book I of 39
1Verse 1. Open verse actions.The famine was severe in the land. 2Verse 2. Open verse actions.When they had eaten up the grain which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said to them, “Go again, buy us a little more food.” 3Verse 3. Open verse actions.Judah spoke to him, saying, “The man solemnly warned us, saying, ‘You shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you.’ 4Verse 4. Open verse actions.If you’ll send our brother with us, we’ll go down and buy you food, 5Verse 5. Open verse actions.but if you’ll not send him, we’ll not go down, for the man said to us, ‘You shall not see my face, unless your brother is with you.’” 6Verse 6. Open verse actions.Israel said, “Why did you treat me so badly, telling the man that you had another brother?” 7Verse 7. Open verse actions.They said, “The man asked directly concerning ourselves, and concerning our relatives, saying, ‘Is your father still alive? Have you another brother?’ We just answered his questions. Is there any way we could know that he would say, ‘Bring your brother down?’” 8Verse 8. Open verse actions.Judah said to Israel, his father, “Send the boy with me, and we’ll get up and go, so that we may live, and not die, both we, and you, and also our little ones. 9Verse 9. Open verse actions.I’ll be collateral for him. From my hand will you require him. If I don’t bring him to you, and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever, 10Verse 10. Open verse actions.for if we hadn’t delayed, surely we would have returned a second time by now.” 11Verse 11. Open verse actions.Their father, Israel, said to them, “If it must be so, then do this. Take from the choice fruits of the land in your bags, and carry down a present for the man, a little balm, a little honey, spices and myrrh, nuts, and almonds; 12Verse 12. Open verse actions.and take double money in your hand, and take back the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks. Perhaps it was an oversight. 13Verse 13. Open verse actions.Take your brother also, get up, and return to the man. 14Verse 14. Open verse actions.May God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may release to you your other brother and Benjamin. If I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.” 15Verse 15. Open verse actions.The men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and got up, went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph. 16Verse 16. Open verse actions.When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Bring the men into the house, and butcher an animal, and prepare; for the men will dine with me at noon.” 17Verse 17. Open verse actions.The man did as Joseph commanded, and the man brought the men to Joseph’s house. 18Verse 18. Open verse actions.The men were afraid, because they were brought to Joseph’s house; and they said, “Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time, we’re brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, attack us, and seize us as slaves, along with our donkeys.” 19Verse 19. Open verse actions.They came near to the steward of Joseph’s house, and they spoke to him at the door of the house, 20Verse 20. Open verse actions.and said, “Oh, my lord, we indeed came down the first time to buy food. 21Verse 21. Open verse actions.When we came to the lodging place, we opened our sacks, and behold, each man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight. We have brought it back in our hand. 22Verse 22. Open verse actions.We have brought down other money in our hand to buy food. We don’t know who put our money in our sacks.” 23Verse 23. Open verse actions.He said, “Peace be to you. Don’t be afraid. Your God, and the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks. I received your money.” He brought Simeon out to them. 24Verse 24. Open verse actions.The man brought the men into Joseph’s house, and gave them water, and they washed their feet. He gave their donkeys fodder. 25Verse 25. Open verse actions.They prepared the present for Joseph’s coming at noon, for they heard that they should eat bread there. 26Verse 26. Open verse actions.When Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves down to him to the earth. 27Verse 27. Open verse actions.He asked them of their welfare, and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he yet alive?” 28Verse 28. Open verse actions.They said, “Your servant, our father, is well. He is still alive.” They bowed down humbly. 29Verse 29. Open verse actions.He lifted up his eyes, and saw Benjamin, his brother, his mother’s son, and said, “Is this your youngest brother, of whom you spoke to me?” He said, “God be gracious to you, my son.” 30Verse 30. Open verse actions.Joseph hurried, for his heart yearned over his brother; and he sought a place to weep. He entered into his room, and wept there. 31Verse 31. Open verse actions.He washed his face, and came out. He controlled himself, and said, “Serve the meal.” 32Verse 32. Open verse actions.They served him by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians, that ate with him, by themselves, because the Egyptians don’t eat bread with the Hebrews, for that is an abomination to the Egyptians. 33Verse 33. Open verse actions.They sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth, and the men marveled one with another. 34Verse 34. Open verse actions.He sent portions to them from before him, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. They drank, and were merry with him.