4. They had left the city but hadn’t gone far when Joseph said to his household manager, "Get ready, go after the men and catch up with them! Ask them, ‘Why have you repaid hospitality with ingratitude?
5. Isn’t this the cup my master drinks from and uses to discover God’s plans? What you’ve done is despicable.’"
6. When he caught up to them, he repeated these words.
7. They replied, "Why does my master talk to us like this? Your servants would never do such a thing.
8. The silver that we found at the top of our sacks, we’ve just brought back to you from the land of Canaan. We didn’t steal silver or gold from your master’s house.
9. Whoever of your servants is found with it will be put to death, and we’ll be my master’s slaves."
10. He said, "Fine. We’ll do just as you’ve said. Whoever is found with it will be my slave, and the rest of you will go free."
11. Everyone quickly lowered their sacks down to the ground and each opened his sack.
12. He searched the oldest first and the youngest last, and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.
13. At this, they tore their clothing. Then everyone loaded their donkeys, and they returned to the city.
14. When Judah and his brothers arrived at Joseph’s house, he was still there, and they fell to the ground in front of him.
15. Joseph said to them, "What’s this you’ve done? Didn’t you know someone like me can discover God’s plans?"
16. Judah replied, "What can we say to my master? What words can we use? How can we prove we are innocent? God has found your servants guilty. We are now your slaves, all of us, including the one found with the cup."