Genesis 44:1-17

American Standard Version

44 And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the men’s sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man’s money in his sack’s mouth. ² And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack’s mouth of the youngest, and his grain money. And he did according to the word that Joseph had spoken. ³ As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their asses. ⁴ And when they were gone out of the city, and were not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good? ⁵ Is not this that in which my lord drinketh, and whereby he indeed divineth? ye have done evil in so doing. ⁶ And he overtook them, and he spake unto them these words. ⁷ And they said unto him, Wherefore speaketh my lord such words as these? Far be it from thy servants that they should do such a thing. ⁸ Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks’ mouths, we brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan: how then should we steal out of thy lord’s house silver or gold? ⁹ With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, let him die, and we also will be my lord’s bondmen. ¹⁰ And he said, Now also let it be according unto your words: he with whom it is found shall be my bondman; and ye shall be blameless. ¹¹ Then they hasted, and took down every man his sack to the ground, and opened every man his sack. ¹² And he searched, and began at the eldest, and left off at the youngest: and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. ¹³ Then they rent their clothes, and laded every man his ass, and returned to the city.

¹⁴ And Judah and his brethren came to Joseph’s house; and he was yet there: and they fell before him on the ground. ¹⁵ And Joseph said unto them, What deed is this that ye have done? know ye not that such a man as I can indeed divine? ¹⁶ And Judah said, What shall we say unto my lord? what shall we speak? or how shall we clear ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants: behold, we are my lord’s bondmen, both we, and he also in whose hand the cup is found. ¹⁷ And he said, Far be it from me that I should do so: the man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my bondman; but as for you, get you up in peace unto your father.