27. It is better that he be sold to the Ishmaelites, and then our hands will not be defiled. For he is our brother and our flesh." His brothers agreed to his words.
28. And when the Midianite merchants were passing by, they drew him from the cistern, and they sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. And these led him into Egypt.
29. And Reuben, returning to the cistern, did not find the boy.
30. And rending his garments, he went to his brothers and said, "The boy is not present, and so where shall I go?"
31. Then they took his tunic, and they dipped it in the blood of a young goat, which they had killed,
32. sending those who carried it to their father, and they said: "We found this. See whether it is the tunic of your son or not."
33. And when the father acknowledged it, he said: "It is the tunic of my son. An evil wild beast has eaten him; a beast has devoured Joseph."
34. And tearing his garments, he was clothed in haircloth, mourning his son for a long time.
35. Then, when all of his sons gathered together to ease their father's sorrow, he was not willing to accept consolation, but he said: "I will descend in mourning to my son in the underworld." And while he persevered in weeping,
36. the Midianites in Egypt sold Joseph to Potiphar, a eunuch of Pharaoh, instructor of the soldiers.