¹⁵ And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives,^(A) you will not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here.^{(B) 16} Send one of your number to get your brother;^(C) the rest of you will be kept in prison,^(D) so that your words may be tested to see if you are telling the truth.^(E) If you are not, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!^(F)” ¹⁷ And he put them all in custody^(G) for three days.

¹⁸ On the third day, Joseph said to them, “Do this and you will live, for I fear God:^{(H) 19} If you are honest men,^(I) let one of your brothers stay here in prison,^(J) while the rest of you go and take grain back for your starving households.^{(K) 20} But you must bring your youngest brother to me,^(L) so that your words may be verified and that you may not die.” This they proceeded to do.

²¹ They said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother.^(M) We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress^(N) has come on us.”

²² Reuben replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy?^(O) But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting^(P) for his blood.”^(Q)