Catholic Public Domain Version

Genesis 43:14-28 Catholic Public Domain Version (CPDV)

14. Then may my Almighty God cause him to be pleased by you. And send your brother, whom he holds, back with you, along with this one, Benjamin. But as for me, without my children, I will be like one who is bereaved."

15. Therefore, the men took the gifts, and double the money, and Benjamin. And they went down into Egypt, and they stood in the presence of Joseph.

16. And when he had seen them and Benjamin together, he instructed the steward of his house, saying: "Lead the men into the house, and kill victims, and prepare a feast, because they will be eating with me at midday."

17. He did what he had been ordered to do, and he brought the men into the house.

18. And there, being terrified, they said one to another: "Because of the money, which we carried back the first time in our sacks, we have been brought in, so that he may unleash a false accusation against us, and by violence subjugate both us and our donkeys into servitude."

19. For this reason, approaching the steward of the house at his door,

20. they said: "We beg you, lord, to hear us. We came down once before to buy food.

21. And having bought it, when we arrived at the inn, we opened our sacks and found the money in the mouths of the sacks, which we now have carried back in the same amount.

22. But we have also brought other silver, so that we may buy those things that are necessary for us. It is not on our conscience who had placed it in our bags."

23. But he responded: "Peace be with you. Do not be afraid. Your God, and the God of your father, has given you the treasure in your sacks. As for the money that you gave to me, I held it as a test." And he led Simeon out to them.

24. And having led them into the house, he brought water, and they washed their feet, and he gave fodder to their donkeys.

25. But they also prepared the gifts, until Joseph entered at midday. For they had heard that they would eat bread there.

26. And so Joseph entered his house, and they offered him the gifts, holding them in their hands. And they reverenced prone on the ground.

27. But he, gently greeting them again, questioned them, saying: "Is your father, the old man about whom you spoke to me, in good health? Is he still alive?"

28. And they answered: "Your servant, our father, is safe; he is still alive." And bowing, they reverenced him.