Joseph's Brothers Go To Egypt For Food
1 Eventually, Jacob observed that there was grain in Egypt, so he asked his sons, "Why do you keep on staring at one another?
1 Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another?
1 Now (A)Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, and Jacob said to his sons, “Why are you staring at one another?”
1 When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt,(A) he said to his sons, “Why do you keep looking at each other?
1 Now when Jacob (Israel) learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why are you staring at one another [in bewilderment and not taking action]?”
2 Pay attention now! I've heard that there is grain in Egypt, so go down there and buy some grain for us, so we can live, instead of dying."
2 And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die.
2 He said, “Behold, (B)I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down there and buy some for us (a)from that place, (C)so that we may live and not die.”
2 Listen,” he went on, “I have heard there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us so that we will live and not die.”(B)
2 He said, “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down there and buy [some] grain for us, so that we may live and not die [of starvation].”
3 So ten of Joseph's brothers left to buy grain from Egypt.
3 And Joseph's ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt.
3 Then ten brothers of Joseph went down to buy grain from Egypt.
3 So 10 of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt.
3 So ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt.
4 Jacob would not send Joseph's brother Benjamin to accompany them, because he was saying, "I'm afraid that he'll come to some kind of harm."
4 But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, Lest peradventure mischief befall him.
4 But Jacob did not send Joseph’s brother (D)Benjamin with his brothers, for he said, “(E)I am afraid that harm may befall him.”
4 But Jacob did not send Joseph’s brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he thought, “Something might happen to him.”
4 But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph’s [younger] brother, with his brothers, for he said, “I am afraid that some harm or injury may come to him.”
5 Israel's sons went in a caravan that included others who were going to Egypt to buy grain, because the famine pervaded the land of Canaan, too.
5 And the sons of Israel came to buy corn among those that came: for the famine was in the land of Canaan.
5 So the sons of Israel came to buy grain among those who were coming, (F)for the famine was in the land of Canaan also.
5 The sons of Israel were among those who came to buy grain, for the famine was in the land of Canaan.
5 So the sons of Israel came [to Egypt] to buy grain along with the others who were coming, for famine was in the land of Canaan also.
Joseph Sends Nine Of His Brothers Back To Canaan
6 Meanwhile, Joseph continued to be ruler over the land, in charge of selling to everyone in the land. Joseph's brothers appeared and bowed down to him, face down.
6 And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph's brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth.
6 Now (G)Joseph was the ruler over the land; he was the one who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph’s brothers came and (H)bowed down to him with their faces to the ground.
6 Joseph was in charge of the country; he sold grain to all its people. His brothers came and bowed down before him with their faces to the ground.(C)
6 Now Joseph was the ruler over the land, and he was the one who sold [grain] to all the people of the land; and Joseph’s [half] brothers came and bowed down before him with their faces to the ground.
7 As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he knew who they were, but he remained disguised and asked them gruffly, "Where are you from?" "From the land of Canaan," they replied. "We're here to buy food."
7 And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food.
7 When Joseph saw his brothers he recognized them, but he disguised himself to them and (I)spoke to them harshly. And he said to them, “Where have you come from?” And they said, “From the land of Canaan, to buy food.”
7 When Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he treated them like strangers and spoke harshly to them.“Where do you come from?” he asked.“From the land of Canaan to buy food,” they replied.
9 Furthermore, Joseph remembered the dreams that he had about them. So he accused them, "You're spies! You've come here to spy on our undefended territories!"
9 And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.
9 Joseph (K)remembered the dreams which he (b)had about them, and said to them, “You are spies; you have come to look at the (c)undefended parts of our land.”
10 "No, your majesty," they replied. "Your servants have come here to buy food.
10 And they said unto him, Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy servants come.
10 “No, my lord. Your servants have come to buy food,” they said.
10 But they said to him, “No, my lord, for your servants have [only] come to buy food.
11 We're all sons of a common father. We're honest men, your majesty. We're not spies!"
11 We are all one man's sons; we are true men, thy servants are no spies.
11 “We are all sons of one man. We are honest; your servants are not spies.”
11 We are all the sons of one man; we are honest men, your servants are not spies.”
12 But Joseph kept insisting, "It's just as I've said you've come here to spy on our unguarded territories!"
12 And he said unto them, Nay, but to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.
12 “No,” he said to them. “You have come to see the weakness of the land.”
12 Yet he said to them, “No, you have come to see the undefended parts of our land.”
13 "But your majesty," they pleaded, "your servants include twelve brothers, the sons of a common father back in the land of Canaan. Please! Our youngest brother remains with our father, and the other one is no longer alive."
13 And they said, Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not.
13 But they said, “Your servants are twelve brothers in all, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and behold, the youngest is with (N)our father today, and (O)one is no longer alive.”
13 But they replied, “We, your servants, were 12 brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan. The youngest is now(b) with our father, and one is no longer living.”
13 But they said, “Your servants are twelve brothers [in all], the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; please listen: the youngest is with our father today, and one is no longer alive.”
15 So here's how we'll test you. You can bet the life of Pharaoh that you're not leaving here until your youngest brother comes here!
15 Hereby ye shall be proved: By the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither.
15 by this you will be tested: (P)by the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go from this place unless your youngest brother comes here!
15 This is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives, you will not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here.
15 In this way you shall be tested: by the life of Pharaoh, you shall not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here!
16 One of you is to be sent back so he can get your brother while the rest of you remain in custody. That way, we'll test whether or not you're telling the truth. If you're not, as surely as the Pharaoh lives, you're spies!"
16 Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether there be any truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies.
16 Send one of you that he may get your brother, while you remain confined, that your words may be tested, whether there is (Q)truth in you. But if not, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies.”
16 Send one from among you to get your brother. The rest of you will be imprisoned so that your words can be tested to see if they are true. If they are not, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!”
16 Send one of you [back home], and let him bring your brother [here], while [the rest of] you remain confined, so that your words may be tested, [to see] whether there is any truth in you [and your story]; or else, by the life of Pharaoh, certainly you are spies.”
19 If you're honest men, leave one of your brothers here in custody, then the rest of you can leave and take some grain with you to alleviate the famine that's affecting your households.
19 If ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your prison: go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses:
19 if you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined in (f)your prison; but as for the rest of you, go, carry grain for the famine of your households,
19 If you are honest, let one of you(d) be confined to the guardhouse, while the rest of you go and take grain to relieve the hunger of your households.
19 if you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined in your [place here in] prison; but as for the rest of you, go, carry grain for the famine in your households,
20 Just be sure to bring your youngest brother back to me so what you've claimed can be verified. That way, you won't die."
20 But bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so.
20 and (T)bring your youngest brother to me, so your words may be verified, and you will not die.” And they did so.
20 Bring your youngest brother to me so that your words can be confirmed; then you won’t die.” And they consented to this.
20 but bring your youngest brother to me, so your words will be verified and you will not die.” And they did so.
21 "We're all guilty because of what we did to our brother!" they told each other. "We kept on watching his suffering while he pleaded with us! We're in this mess because we wouldn't listen!"
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.
21 Then they said to one another, “(U)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; therefore this distress has come upon us.”
21 Then they said to each other, “Obviously, we are being punished for what we did to our brother. We saw his deep distress when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this trouble has come to us.”(F)
21 And they said to one another, “Truly we are guilty regarding our brother [Joseph], because we saw the distress and anguish of his soul when he pleaded with us [to let him go], yet we would not listen [to his cry]; so this distress and anguish has come on us.”
22 "Didn't I tell you!" Reuben replied. ""Don't wrong the kid!' I said, but would you listen? No! Now it's payback time!"
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.
22 Reuben answered them, saying, “(V)Did I not tell (g)you, ‘Do not sin against the boy’; and you would not listen? (h)(W)Now comes the reckoning for his blood.”
22 But Reuben replied: “Didn’t I tell you not to harm the boy?(G) But you wouldn’t listen. Now we must account for his blood!”(e)
22 Reuben answered them, “Did I not tell you, ‘Do not sin against the boy’; and you would not listen? Now the accounting for his blood is required [of us for we are guilty of his death].”
23 Meanwhile, they had no idea that Joseph could understand them, since he was talking to them through an interpreter.
23 And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for he spake unto them by an interpreter.
23 They did not know, however, that Joseph understood, for there was an interpreter between them.
23 They did not realize that Joseph understood them, since there was an interpreter between them.
23 They did not know that Joseph understood [their conversation], because he spoke to them through an interpreter.
24 He turned away from them and began to weep.
24 And he turned himself about from them, and wept; and returned to them again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon, and bound him before their eyes.
24 He turned away from them and (X)wept. But when he returned to them and spoke to them, he (Y)took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes.
24 He turned away from them and wept. Then he turned back and spoke to them. He took Simeon from them and had him bound before their eyes.
24 He turned away from his brothers and [left the room and] wept; then he returned and talked with them, and took Simeon from them and bound him in front of them [to be kept as a hostage in Egypt].
Joseph's Brothers Return To Canaan
25 When he returned, he spoke with them, but then he took Simeon away from them and had him placed under arrest right in front of them. After this, Joseph gave orders to fill up their sacks with grain, to return each man's money to his own sack, and to supply each of them with provisions for their return journey. All of this was done for them.
25 Then Joseph commanded to fill their sacks with corn, and to restore every man's money into his sack, and to give them provision for the way: and thus did he unto them.
25 (Z)Then Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain and to restore every man’s money in his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. And thus it was done for them.
25 Joseph then gave orders to fill their containers with grain, return each man’s money to his sack, and give them provisions for their journey. This order was carried out.
25 Then Joseph gave orders [privately] that their bags be filled with grain, and that every man’s money [used to pay for the grain] be put back in his sack, and that provisions be given to them for the journey. And so this was done for them.
26 Then they each mounted up, their donkeys having been loaded with grain, and left from there.
26 And they laded their asses with the corn, and departed thence.
26 So they loaded their donkeys with their grain and departed from there.
26 They loaded the grain on their donkeys and left there.
26 They loaded their donkeys with grain and left from there.
The Brothers Return Home
27 Later on, one of them opened up his sack to give his donkey some fodder after they had stopped at the place where they intended to lodge for the night. There, in the mouth of his sack, was all of his money!
27 And as one of them opened his sack to give his ass provender in the inn, he espied his money; for, behold, it was in his sack's mouth.
27 As one of them opened his sack to give his donkey fodder at the lodging place, he saw his (AA)money; and behold, it was in the mouth of his sack.
27 At the place where they lodged for the night, one of them opened his sack to get feed for his donkey, and he saw his money there at the top of the bag.
27 And at the lodging place, as one of them opened his sack to feed his donkey, he saw his money in the opening of his sack.
28 He reported to his brothers, "My money has been returned! It's right here in my sack!" Trembling with mounting consternation, each of them asked one another, "What is God doing to us?"
28 And he said unto his brethren, My money is restored; and, lo, it is even in my sack: and their heart failed them, and they were afraid, saying one to another, What is this that God hath done unto us?
28 Then he said to his brothers, “My money has been returned, and behold, it is even in my sack.” And their hearts (i)sank, and they turned (j)trembling to one another, saying, “(AB)What is this that God has done to us?”
28 He said to his brothers, “My money has been returned! It’s here in my bag.” Their hearts sank. Trembling, they turned to one another and said, “What is this that God has done to us?”
28 And he said to his brothers, “My money has been returned! Here it is in my sack!” And their hearts sank, and they were afraid and turned trembling to one another, saying, “What is this that God has done to us?”
Jacob's [Israel's] Sons Report To Him
29 As soon as they had returned to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan, they told him everything that had happened to them.
29 And they came unto Jacob their father unto the land of Canaan, and told him all that befell unto them; saying,
29 When they came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan, they told him all that had happened to them, saying,
29 When they reached their father Jacob in the land of Canaan, they told him all that had happened to them:
29 When they came to Jacob their father in the land of Canaan, they told him everything that had happened to them, saying,
30 "The man who was in charge of the land spoke harshly to us," they said. "He accused us of being spies!
30 The man, who is the lord of the land, spake roughly to us, and took us for spies of the country.
30 “The man who is the lord of the country spoke harshly to us and accused us of spying on the country.
30 “The man who is the lord of the land spoke harshly to us, and took us for spies of the land.
32 Our father has twelve sons, but one of us isn't alive anymore, and our youngest brother is with our father today back home in Canaan.'
32 We be twelve brethren, sons of our father; one is not, and the youngest is this day with our father in the land of Canaan.
32 We are twelve brothers, sons of our father; one is no longer alive, and the youngest is with our father today in the land of Canaan.’
32 We were 12 brothers, sons of the same(f) father. One is no longer living, and the youngest is now(g) with our father in the land of Canaan.
32 We are twelve brothers, sons of our father; one is no longer alive, and the youngest is with our father today in the land of Canaan.’
33 But the man who was in charge of the land responded, "I'm going to test your honesty. Leave one of your brothers with me, take some grain for the famine that's afflicting your households, and leave.
33 And the man, the lord of the country, said unto us, Hereby shall I know that ye are true men; leave one of your brethren here with me, and take food for the famine of your households, and be gone:
33 The man, the lord of the land, said to us, ‘(AE)By this I will know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers with me and take grain for the famine of your households, and go.
33 The man who is the lord of the country said to us, ‘This is how I will know if you are honest: Leave one brother with me, take food to relieve the hunger of your households, and go.
33 And the man, the lord of the country, said to us, ‘By this [test] I will know that you are honest men: leave one of your brothers here with me and take grain for your starving households and go.
34 But bring your youngest brother back to me so I can be sure that you're honest men, and not spies. Then I'll return your brother to you, and you'll be allowed to trade anywhere in the land.'"
34 And bring your youngest brother unto me: then shall I know that ye are no spies, but that ye are true men: so will I deliver you your brother, and ye shall traffick in the land.
34 But bring your youngest brother to me that I may know that you are not spies, but (k)honest men. I will give your brother to you, and you may (AF)trade in the land.’”
34 Bring back your youngest brother to me, and I will know that you are not spies but honest men. I will then give your brother back to you, and you can trade in the country.’”
34 Bring your youngest brother to me; then I will know that you are not spies, but that you are honest men. Then I will return your [imprisoned] brother [back] to you, and you may trade and do business in the land.’”
35 Later on, as they went about unloading their sacks, each man's bundle of money was found in each man's sack. When they and their father saw their bundles of money, they were greatly distressed.
35 And it came to pass as they emptied their sacks, that, behold, every man's bundle of money was in his sack: and when both they and their father saw the bundles of money, they were afraid.
35 Now it came about as they were emptying their sacks, that behold, (AG)every man’s bundle of money was in his sack; and when they and their father saw their bundles of money, they were dismayed.
35 As they began emptying their sacks, there in each man’s sack was his bag of money! When they and their father saw their bags of money, they were afraid.
35 Now when they emptied their sacks, every man’s bundle of money [paid to buy grain] was in his sack. When they and their father saw the bundles of money, they were afraid.
36 Their father Jacob told them, "You're causing me to lose my children! Joseph is gone. Now Simeon is gone, and you're planning to take Benjamin, too. Everything's going against me!"
36 And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me.
36 Their father Jacob said to them, “You have (AH)bereaved me of my children: Joseph is no more, and Simeon is no more, and you would take Benjamin; all these things are against me.”
36 Their father Jacob said to them, “You have deprived me of my sons. Joseph is gone and Simeon is gone. Now you want to take Benjamin. Everything happens to me!”
36 Jacob their father said to them, “You have bereaved me [by causing the loss] of my children. Joseph is no more, and Simeon is no more, and you would take Benjamin [from me]. All these things are [working] against me.”
37 "Feel free to put my own two sons to death," Reuben responded to his father, "if I don't bring him back to you. Trust me I'll bring him back to you."
37 And Reuben spake unto his father, saying, Slay my two sons, if I bring him not to thee: deliver him into my hand, and I will bring him to thee again.
37 Then Reuben spoke to his father, saying, “You may put my two sons to death if I do not bring him back to you; put him in my (l)care, and I will return him to you.”
37 Then Reuben said to his father, “You can kill my two sons if I don’t bring him back to you. Put him in my care,(h) and I will return him to you.”
37 Then Reuben spoke to his father, “You may put my two sons to death if I do not bring Benjamin back to you; put him in my care, and I will return him to you.”
38 But Jacob replied, "My son isn't going back with you, since his brother is dead and he's the only one left. If something should harm him as you travel, then it'll be death for me and my sad, gray hair!"
38 And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.
38 But (m)Jacob said, “My son shall not go down with you; for his (AI)brother is dead, and he alone is left. (AJ)If harm should befall him on the journey (n)you are taking, then you will (AK)bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow.”
38 But Jacob answered, “My son will not go down with you, for his brother is dead and he alone is left.(H) If anything happens to him on your journey, you will bring my gray hairs down to Sheol in sorrow.”(I)
38 But Jacob said, “My son shall not go down [to Egypt] with you; for his brother is dead, and he alone is left [of Rachel’s children]. If any harm or accident should happen to him on the journey you are taking, then you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol (the place of the dead) in sorrow.”