17. Joseph responded: "Far be it from me that I should act in this way. He who stole the cup, he will be my servant. But you may go away free to your father."
18. Then Judah, approaching closer, said confidently: "I beg you, my lord, let your servant speak a word in your ears, and do not be angry with your servant. For you are next to Pharaoh.
19. My lord, you questioned your servants before: 'Do you have a father or a brother?'
20. And we answered you, my lord: 'There is our father, an old man, and a young boy, who was born in his old age. His brother of the same womb has died, and he alone is left to his mother and father, who truly love him tenderly.'
21. And you said to your servants, 'Bring him to me, and I will set my eyes on him.'
22. We suggested to my lord: 'The boy is not able to leave his father. For if he sends him away, he will die.'
23. And you said to your servants: 'Unless your youngest brother arrives with you, you will not see my face any more.'
24. Therefore, when we had gone up to your servant our father, we explained to him all that my lord had spoken.
25. And our father said: 'Return and buy us a little wheat.'
26. And we said to him: 'We cannot go. If our youngest brother descends with us, we will set out together. Otherwise, in his absence, we do not dare to see the face of the man.'
27. To which he responded: 'You know that my wife conceived twice by me.