Genesis 43:11-32

New International Reader's Version

¹¹ Then their father Israel spoke to them. He said, “If that’s the way it has to be, then do what I tell you. Put some of the best things from our land in your bags. Take them down to the man as a gift. Take some lotion and a little honey. Take some spices and myrrh. Take some pistachio nuts and almonds. ¹² Take twice the amount of money with you. You have to give back the money that was put in your sacks. Maybe it was a mistake. ¹³ Also take your brother. Go back to the man at once. ¹⁴ May the Mighty God cause him to show you mercy. May the man let your other brother and Benjamin come back with you. And if I lose my sons, I lose them.”

¹⁵ So the men took the gifts. They took twice the amount of money. They also took Benjamin. They hurried down to Egypt and went to Joseph. ¹⁶ When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he spoke to the manager of his house. “Take these men to my house,” he said. “Kill an animal and prepare a meal. I want them to eat with me at noon.”

¹⁷ The manager did what Joseph told him to do. He took the men to Joseph’s house. ¹⁸ They were frightened when they were taken to Joseph’s house. They thought, “We were brought here because of the money that was put back in our sacks the first time. He wants to attack us and overpower us. Then he can hold us as slaves and take our donkeys.”

¹⁹ So they went up to Joseph’s manager. They spoke to him at the entrance to the house. ²⁰ “Please, sir,” they said. “We came down here the first time to buy food. ²¹ We opened our sacks at the place where we stopped for the night. Each of us found in our sacks the exact amount of the money we had paid. So we’ve brought it back with us. ²² We’ve also brought more money with us to buy food. We don’t know who put our money in our sacks.”

²³ “It’s all right,” the manager said. “Don’t be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, has given you riches in your sacks. I received your money.” Then he brought Simeon out to them.

²⁴ The manager took the men into Joseph’s house. He gave them water to wash their feet. He provided feed for their donkeys. ²⁵ The brothers prepared their gifts for Joseph. He was planning to arrive at noon. They had heard that they were going to eat there.

²⁶ When Joseph came home, they gave him the gifts they had brought into the house. They bowed down low in front of him. ²⁷ He asked them how they were. Then he said, “How is your old father you told me about? Is he still living?”

²⁸ They replied, “Your servant our father is still alive and well.” And they bowed down to show him honor.

²⁹ Joseph looked around. Then he saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother’s son. He asked, “Is this your youngest brother? Is he the one you told me about?” He continued, “May God be gracious to you, my son.” ³⁰ It moved him deeply to see his brother. So Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to cry. He went into his own room and cried there.

³¹ Then he washed his face and came out. He calmed down and said, “Serve the food.”

³² They served Joseph by himself. They served the brothers by themselves. They also served the Egyptians who ate with Joseph by themselves. Because of their beliefs, Egyptians couldn’t eat with Hebrews.