Genesis 43:19-34

Common English Bible

¹⁹ They approached the man who was Joseph’s household manager and spoke to him at the house’s entrance: ²⁰ “Please, Master, we came down the first time just to buy food, ²¹ but when we stopped to spend the night and opened our sacks, there was the exact amount of each man’s silver at the top of his sack. We’ve brought it back with us, ²² and we’ve brought down with us additional silver to buy food. We don’t know who put our silver in our sacks.”

²³ He said, “You are fine. Don’t be afraid. Your God and your father’s God must have hidden a treasure in your sacks. I received your money.” Then he brought Simeon out to them.

²⁴ The manager brought the men into Joseph’s house and gave them water to wash their feet and feed for their donkeys. ²⁵ They prepared the gift, anticipating Joseph’s arrival at noon, since they had heard that they would have a meal there. ²⁶ When Joseph came into the house, they presented him the gift they had brought with them into the house, and they bowed low in front of him. ²⁷ He asked them how they were and said, “How is your elderly father, about whom you spoke? Is he still alive?”

²⁸ They said, “Your servant our father is fine. He’s still alive.” And they bowed down again with deep respect.

²⁹ Joseph looked up and saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother’s son, and he said, “Is this your youngest brother whom you told me about? God be gracious to you, my son.” ³⁰ Joseph’s feelings for his brother were so strong he was about to weep, so he rushed to another room and wept there. ³¹ He washed his face, came back, pulled himself together, and said, “Set out the dinner.” ³² So they set out his food by himself, their food by themselves, and the Egyptians’ who ate with him by themselves because Egyptians don’t allow themselves to eat with Hebrews; the Egyptians think it beneath their dignity. ³³ They were seated in front of him from the oldest to the youngest in their exact birth order, and the men looked at each other with amazement. ³⁴ Portions of food from Joseph’s table were brought to them, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as large as theirs. So they drank together and were at ease.