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Genesis 37:21-30
New International Version
Genesis 37:21-30
New International Version
21 When Reuben(A) heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. “Let’s not take his life,” he said.(B) 22 “Don’t shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern(C) here in the wilderness, but don’t lay a hand on him.” Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father.(D)
23 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the ornate robe(E) he was wearing— 24 and they took him and threw him into the cistern.(F) The cistern was empty; there was no water in it.
25 As they sat down to eat their meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites(G) coming from Gilead.(H) Their camels were loaded with spices, balm(I) and myrrh,(J) and they were on their way to take them down to Egypt.(K)
26 Judah(L) said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood?(M) 27 Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother,(N) our own flesh and blood.(O)” His brothers agreed.
28 So when the Midianite(P) merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern(Q) and sold(R) him for twenty shekels[a] of silver(S) to the Ishmaelites,(T) who took him to Egypt.(U)
29 When Reuben returned to the cistern and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes.(V) 30 He went back to his brothers and said, “The boy isn’t there! Where can I turn now?”(W)
Footnotes
- Genesis 37:28 That is, about 8 ounces or about 230 grams
Genesis 37:21-30
King James Version
Genesis 37:21-30
King James Version
21 And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said, Let us not kill him.
22 And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again.
23 And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him;
24 And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.
25 And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt.
26 And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood?
27 Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content.
28 Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.
29 And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes.
30 And he returned unto his brethren, and said, The child is not; and I, whither shall I go?
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Genesis 42:22
New International Version
Genesis 42:22
New International Version
22 Reuben replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy?(A) But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting(B) for his blood.”(C)
Genesis 42:22
King James Version
Genesis 42:22
King James Version
22 And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required.
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New International Version (NIV) 
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