Genesis 44:16-18

International Standard Version

Judah Explains Their Predicament

¹⁶ “What can we say, Your Excellency?” Judah replied. “How can we explain this or justify ourselves? God has discovered the sin of your servants, and now we’ve become slaves to you, Your Excellency, both we and the one in whose possession the cup has been discovered.”

¹⁷ “Far be it from me to do this,” Joseph^[a] responded. “The man in whose possession the cup was discovered will be my slave, but the rest of you may leave in peace to be with your father.”

¹⁸ But Judah approached him and begged him, “Your Excellency, please allow your servant to speak to you privately.^[b] Please don’t be angry with your servant, since you are equal to Pharaoh.