20. Let’s kill him and throw his body into one of the wells. We can tell our father that a wild animal killed him. Then we will see what will become of his dreams.”
21. But Reuben heard their plan and saved Joseph. He said, “Let’s not kill him.
22. Don’t spill any blood. Throw him into this well here in the desert. But don’t hurt him!” Reuben planned to save Joseph later and send him back to his father.
23. So when Joseph came to his brothers, they pulled off his robe with long sleeves.
24. Then they threw him into the well. It was empty. There was no water in it.
25. While Joseph was in the well, the brothers sat down to eat. When they looked up, they saw a group of Ishmaelites. They were traveling from Gilead to Egypt. Their camels were carrying spices, balm and myrrh.
26. Then Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we kill our brother and hide his death?
27. Let’s sell him to these Ishmaelites. Then we will not be guilty of killing our own brother. After all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” And the other brothers agreed.