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Genesis 42:21-23
New International Version
Genesis 42:21-23
New International Version
21 They said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother.(A) We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress(B) has come on us.”
22 Reuben replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy?(C) But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting(D) for his blood.”(E) 23 They did not realize(F) that Joseph could understand them,(G) since he was using an interpreter.
Genesis 42:21-23
English Standard Version
Genesis 42:21-23
English Standard Version
21 Then they said to one another, (A)“In truth we are guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us and we did not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.” 22 And Reuben answered them, (B)“Did I not tell you not to sin against the boy? But you did not listen. So now (C)there comes a reckoning for his blood.” 23 They did not know that Joseph understood them, for there was an interpreter between them.
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Genesis 42:21-23
New King James Version
Genesis 42:21-23
New King James Version
21 Then they said to one another, (A)“We are truly guilty concerning our brother, for we saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded with us, and we would not hear; (B)therefore this distress has come upon us.”
22 And Reuben answered them, saying, (C)“Did I not speak to you, saying, ‘Do not sin against the boy’; and you would not listen? Therefore behold, his blood is now (D)required of us.” 23 But they did not know that Joseph understood them, for he spoke to them through an interpreter.
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Genesis 42:21-23
King James Version
Genesis 42:21-23
King James Version
21 And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.
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.
23 And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for he spake unto them by an interpreter.
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Genesis 42:21-23
New American Standard Bible
Genesis 42:21-23
New American Standard Bible
21 Then they said to one another, “(A)Truly we are guilty concerning our brother, because we saw the distress of his soul when he pleaded with us, yet we would not listen; for that reason this distress has happened to us.” 22 Reuben answered them, saying, “(B)Did I not tell [a]you, ‘Do not sin against the boy’; and you would not listen? [b](C)Now justice for his blood is required.” 23 They did not know, however, that Joseph understood, for there was an interpreter between them.
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- Genesis 42:22 Lit you, saying,
- Genesis 42:22 Lit And behold, his blood also is required
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) 
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.