Common English Bible

Genesis 42:6-20 Common English Bible (CEB)

6. As for Joseph, he was the land’s governor, and he was the one selling grain to all the land’s people. When Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him, their faces to the ground.

7. When Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he acted like he didn’t know them. He spoke to them with a harsh tone and said, "Where have you come from?"And they said, "From the land of Canaan to buy food."

8. Joseph recognized his brothers, but they didn’t recognize him.

9. Joseph remembered the dreams he had dreamed about them, and said to them, "You are spies. You’ve come to look for the country’s weaknesses."

10. They said to him, "No, Master. Your servants have just come to buy food.

11. We are all sons of one man. We are honest men. Your servants aren’t spies."

12. He said to them, "No. You’ve come to look for the country’s weaknesses."

13. They said, "We, your servants, are twelve brothers, sons of one man in the land of Canaan. The youngest is now with our father, but one is gone."

14. Joseph said to them, "It’s just as I’ve said to you. You are spies!

15. But here is how to prove yourselves: As Pharaoh lives, you won’t leave here until your youngest brother arrives.

16. Send one of you to get your brother, but the rest of you will stay in prison. We will find out if your words are true. If not, as Pharaoh lives, you are certainly spies."

17. He put them all in prison for three days.

18. On the third day, Joseph said to them, "Do this and you will live, for I’m a God-fearing man.

19. If you are honest men, let one of your brothers stay in prison, and the rest of you, go, take grain back to those in your households who are hungry.

20. But bring your youngest brother back to me so that your words will prove true and you won’t die."So they prepared to do this.