Joseph’s Brothers Go to Egypt

42 When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt,^(A) he said to his sons, “Why do you just keep looking at each other?” ² He continued, “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us,^(B) so that we may live and not die.”^(C)

³ Then ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain^(D) from Egypt. ⁴ But Jacob did not send Benjamin,^(E) Joseph’s brother, with the others, because he was afraid that harm might come to him.^{(F) 5} So Israel’s sons were among those who went to buy grain,^(G) for there was famine in the land of Canaan^(H) also.^(I)

¹³ But they replied, “Your servants^(A) were twelve brothers, the sons of one man, who lives in the land of Canaan.^(B) The youngest is now with our father, and one is no more.”^(C)

²⁹ When they came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan,^(A) they told him all that had happened to them.^(B) They said, ³⁰ “The man who is lord over the land spoke harshly to us^(C) and treated us as though we were spying on the land.^{(D) 31} But we said to him, ‘We are honest men; we are not spies.^{(E) 32} We were twelve brothers, sons of one father. One is no more, and the youngest is now with our father in Canaan.’^(F)

³³ “Then the man who is lord over the land said to us, ‘This is how I will know whether you are honest men: Leave one of your brothers here with me, and take food for your starving households and go.^{(G) 34} But bring your youngest brother to me so I will know that you are not spies but honest men.^(H) Then I will give your brother back to you,^(I) and you can trade^[a] in the land.^(J)’”

³⁵ As they were emptying their sacks, there in each man’s sack was his pouch of silver!^(K) When they and their father saw the money pouches, they were frightened.^{(L) 36} Their father Jacob said to them, “You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more,^(M) and now you want to take Benjamin.^(N) Everything is against me!^(O)”

³⁷ Then Reuben said to his father, “You may put both of my sons to death if I do not bring him back to you. Entrust him to my care,^(P) and I will bring him back.”^(Q)

³⁸ But Jacob said, “My son will not go down there with you; his brother is dead^(R) and he is the only one left. If harm comes to him^(S) on the journey you are taking, you will bring my gray head down to the grave^(T) in sorrow.^(U)”