Genesis 43:28   (Read all of Genesis 43)

They replied, "Your servant our father is still alive and well." And they bowed down, prostrating themselves before him.

Genesis 43:29   (Read all of Genesis 43)

As he looked about and saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother's son, he asked, "Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?" And he said, "God be gracious to you, my son."

Genesis 43:30   (Read all of Genesis 43)

Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. He went into his private room and wept there.

Genesis 43:31   (Read all of Genesis 43)

After he had washed his face, he came out and, controlling himself, said, "Serve the food."

Genesis 43:32   (Read all of Genesis 43)

They served him by himself, the brothers by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because Egyptians could not eat with Hebrews, for that is detestable to Egyptians.

Genesis 43:33   (Read all of Genesis 43)

The men had been seated before him in the order of their ages, from the firstborn to the youngest; and they looked at each other in astonishment.

Genesis 43:34   (Read all of Genesis 43)

When portions were served to them from Joseph's table, Benjamin's portion was five times as much as anyone else's. So they feasted and drank freely with him.

Genesis 44:1   (Read all of Genesis 44)

Now Joseph gave these instructions to the steward of his house: "Fill the men's sacks with as much food as they can carry, and put each man's silver in the mouth of his sack.

Genesis 44:2   (Read all of Genesis 44)

Then put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of the youngest one's sack, along with the silver for his grain." And he did as Joseph said.

Genesis 44:3   (Read all of Genesis 44)

As morning dawned, the men were sent on their way with their donkeys.

Genesis 44:4   (Read all of Genesis 44)

They had not gone far from the city when Joseph said to his steward, "Go after those men at once, and when you catch up with them, say to them, 'Why have you repaid good with evil?

Genesis 44:7   (Read all of Genesis 44)

But they said to him, "Why does my lord say such things? Far be it from your servants to do anything like that!

Genesis 44:8   (Read all of Genesis 44)

We even brought back to you from the land of Canaan the silver we found inside the mouths of our sacks. So why would we steal silver or gold from your master's house?

Genesis 44:9   (Read all of Genesis 44)

If any of your servants is found to have it, he will die; and the rest of us will become my lord's slaves."

Genesis 44:10   (Read all of Genesis 44)

"Very well, then," he said, "let it be as you say. Whoever is found to have it will become my slave; the rest of you will be free from blame."

Genesis 44:11   (Read all of Genesis 44)

Each of them quickly lowered his sack to the ground and opened it.

Genesis 44:12   (Read all of Genesis 44)

Then the steward proceeded to search, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest. And the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.

Genesis 44:14   (Read all of Genesis 44)

Joseph was still in the house when Judah and his brothers came in, and they threw themselves to the ground before him.

Genesis 44:15   (Read all of Genesis 44)

Joseph said to them, "What is this you have done? Don't you know that a man like me can find things out by divination?"

Genesis 44:16   (Read all of Genesis 44)

"What can we say to my lord?" Judah replied. "What can we say? How can we prove our innocence? God has uncovered your servants' guilt. We are now my lord's slaves-we ourselves and the one who was found to have the cup."

Genesis 44:17   (Read all of Genesis 44)

But Joseph said, "Far be it from me to do such a thing! Only the man who was found to have the cup will become my slave. The rest of you, go back to your father in peace."

Genesis 44:18   (Read all of Genesis 44)

Then Judah went up to him and said: "Pardon your servant, my lord, let me speak a word to my lord. Do not be angry with your servant, though you are equal to Pharaoh himself.

Genesis 44:19   (Read all of Genesis 44)

My lord asked his servants, 'Do you have a father or a brother?'

Genesis 44:20   (Read all of Genesis 44)

And we answered, 'We have an aged father, and there is a young son born to him in his old age. His brother is dead, and he is the only one of his mother's sons left, and his father loves him.'