Thematic Bible
Genesis 44:1 (show verse)
Later, Joseph told the servant in charge of his house: Fill the men's grain sacks with as much as they can hold and put their money in the sacks.
Genesis 44:2 (show verse)
Also put my silver cup in the sack of the youngest brother. The servant did as he was told.
Genesis 44:3 (show verse)
When it was light the men took their donkeys and left.
No Themes for this verse.
Genesis 44:4 (show verse)
They just left the city and were not far off, when Joseph said to the man in charge of his house: Follow the men and when you overtake them, say to them: 'Why have you repaid evil for good?
Genesis 44:5 (show verse)
Is this the cup that my master drinks from and that he uses for telling the future? What you have done is evil!'
Genesis 44:6 (show verse)
When he caught up with them, he repeated these words to them.
No Themes for this verse.
Genesis 44:7 (show verse)
They answered him: What do you mean, Sir, by talking like this? We swear that we have done no such thing.
Genesis 44:8 (show verse)
You know that we brought back to you from the land of Canaan the money we found in the top of our sacks. Why should we steal silver or gold from your master's house?
Genesis 44:9 (show verse)
If you find that one of us has the cup, then kill him. The rest of us will become your slaves.
Genesis 44:10 (show verse)
Good! the man replied. I would do what you have said. But only the one who has the cup will become my slave. The rest of you can go free.
Genesis 44:11 (show verse)
Each of the brothers quickly put his sack on the ground and opened it.
Genesis 44:12 (show verse)
Joseph's servant started searching the sacks. They began with the one that belonged to the oldest brother. When he came to Benjamin's sack, he found the cup.
Genesis 44:13 (show verse)
This upset the brothers so much that they began tearing their clothes in sorrow. Then they loaded their donkeys and returned to the city.
Genesis 44:14 (show verse)
When Judah and his brothers got there, Joseph was still at home. So they bowed down to Joseph.
Genesis 44:15 (show verse)
He asked them: What have you done? Did you not know I could find out?
Genesis 44:16 (show verse)
Sir, what can we say? Judah replied. How can we prove we are innocent? God has shown that we are guilty. And now all of us are your slaves, especially the one who had the cup.
Genesis 44:17 (show verse)
He said: It is far from me that I should do this. The man in whose hand the cup is found, he shall be my servant. As for you, you go in peace to your father.
Genesis 44:18 (show verse)
Judah went up to Joseph and said: Please, Sir, let me speak openly with you. Do not be angry with me, although you are equal to Pharaoh.
Genesis 44:19 (show verse)
Sir, you asked us, 'Do you have a father or a brother?'
Genesis 44:20 (show verse)
We answered, 'We have a father who is old and a younger brother born to him when he was already old. The boy's brother is dead. He is the only one of his mother's sons left, and his father loves him.'
Genesis 44:21 (show verse)
Then you said to us, 'Bring him here to me so that I can see him myself.'
Genesis 44:22 (show verse)
We replied, 'The boy cannot leave his father. If the boy leaves him, his father will die.'
Genesis 44:23 (show verse)
Then you said you will not be admitted to my presence again unless your youngest brother comes with you.'
Genesis 44:24 (show verse)
We went back and told our father what you said.
Genesis 44:25 (show verse)
He told us to return and buy a little food.
Genesis 44:26 (show verse)
We answered, 'We cannot go. We will not be admitted to the man's presence unless our youngest brother is with us. We can go only if our youngest brother also goes.'
Genesis 44:27 (show verse)
Our father said, 'You know that my wife Rachel bore me only two sons.
Genesis 44:28 (show verse)
One has already left me. He must have been torn to pieces by wild animals, because I have not seen him since he left.
Genesis 44:29 (show verse)
If you take this one from me now and something happens to him, the sorrow you would cause me would kill me, as old as I am.'
Genesis 44:30 (show verse)
That is why Benjamin must be with us when I go back to my father. He loves him so much
Genesis 44:31 (show verse)
that he will die if Benjamin does not come back with me.
Genesis 44:32 (show verse)
I promised my father I would bring him home safely. If I do not, I told my father he could blame me the rest of my life.
Genesis 44:33 (show verse)
Sir, I am your slave. Please let me stay here in place of Benjamin. Please let him return home with his brothers.
Genesis 44:34 (show verse)
How can I face my father if Benjamin is not with me? I could not bear to see my father in such sorrow.