They said to him, “Why does my lord speak such words as these? Far be it from your servants to do such a thing. Behold, (A)the money which we found in the mouth of our sacks we have brought back to you from the land of Canaan. How then could we steal silver or gold from your lord’s house? (B)With whomever of your servants it is found, let him die, and we also will be my lord’s (C)slaves.”

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They answered him, “Why does my lord say such things?[a] Far be it from your servants to do such a thing![b] Look, the money that we found in the mouths of our sacks we brought back to you from the land of Canaan. Why then would we steal silver or gold from your master’s house? If one of us has it,[c] he will die, and the rest of us will become my lord’s slaves!”

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Footnotes

  1. Genesis 44:7 tn Heb “Why does my lord speak according to these words?”
  2. Genesis 44:7 tn Heb “according to this thing.”
  3. Genesis 44:9 tn Heb “The one with whom it is found from your servants.” Here “your servants” (a deferential way of referring to the brothers themselves) has been translated by the pronoun “us” to avoid confusion with Joseph’s servants.

And they said unto him, Wherefore saith my lord these words? God forbid that thy servants should do according to this thing:

Behold, the money, which we found in our sacks' mouths, we brought again unto thee out of the land of Canaan: how then should we steal out of thy lord's house silver or gold?

With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord's bondmen.

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