18. On the third day, Joseph spoke to them again. He said, "Do what I say. Then you will live, because I have respect for God.
19. If you are honest men, let one of your brothers stay here in prison. The rest of you may go and take grain back to your hungry families.
20. "But you must bring your youngest brother to me. That will prove that your words are true. Then you won't die." So they did what he said.
21. They said to one another, "God is certainly punishing us because of our brother. We saw how troubled he was when he begged us to let him live. But we wouldn't listen. That's why all of this trouble has come to us."
22. Reuben replied, "Didn't I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn't listen! Now we're being held accountable for killing him."
23. They didn't realize that Joseph could understand what they were saying. He was using someone else to explain their words to him in the Egyptian language.
24. Joseph turned away from them and began to sob. Then he turned around and spoke to them again. He had Simeon taken and tied up right there in front of them.
25. Joseph gave orders to have their bags filled with grain. He had each man's money put back into his sack. He also made sure they were given food for their journey.