Genesis 43:15-34

Genesis 43:15-34 NCV

So the brothers took the gifts. They also took twice as much money as they had taken the first time, and they took Benjamin. They hurried down to Egypt and stood before Joseph. When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the servant in charge of his house, “Bring those men into my house. Kill an animal and prepare a meal. Those men will eat with me today at noon.” The servant did as Joseph told him and brought the men to Joseph’s house. The brothers were afraid when they were brought to Joseph’s house and thought, “We were brought here because of the money that was put in our sacks on the first trip. He wants to attack us, make us slaves, and take our donkeys.” So the brothers went to the servant in charge of Joseph’s house and spoke to him at the door of the house. They said, “Master, we came here once before to buy food. While we were going home, we stopped for the night and when we opened our sacks each of us found all his money in his sack. We brought that money with us to give it back to you. And we have brought more money to pay for the food we want to buy this time. We don’t know who put that money in our sacks.” But the servant answered, “It’s all right. Don’t be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, must have put the money in your sacks. I got the money you paid me for the grain last time.” Then the servant brought Simeon out to them. The servant led the men into Joseph’s house and gave them water, and they washed their feet. Then he gave their donkeys food to eat. The men prepared their gift to give to Joseph when he arrived at noon, because they had heard they were going to eat with him there. When Joseph came home, the brothers gave him the gift they had brought into the house and bowed down to the ground in front of him. Joseph asked them how they were doing. He said, “How is your aged father you told me about? Is he still alive?” The brothers answered, “Your servant, our father, is well. He is still alive.” And they bowed low before Joseph to show him respect. When Joseph saw his brother Benjamin, who had the same mother as he, Joseph asked, “Is this your youngest brother you told me about?” Then he said to Benjamin, “God be good to you, my son!” Then Joseph hurried off because he had to hold back the tears when he saw his brother Benjamin. So Joseph went into his room and cried there. Then he washed his face and came out. He controlled himself and said, “Serve the meal.” So they served Joseph at one table, his brothers at another table, and the Egyptians who ate with him at another table. This was because Egyptians did not like Hebrews and never ate with them. Joseph’s brothers were seated in front of him in order of their ages, from oldest to youngest. They looked at each other because they were so amazed. Food from Joseph’s table was taken to them, but Benjamin was given five times more food than the others. Joseph’s brothers ate and drank freely with him.

Read Genesis 43