Joseph's Brothers Accused as Spies

Genesis 42

When famine reaches Chanaan, Jacob sends ten of his sons to buy corn in Egypt, keeping Benjamin at home, and they come before Joseph, who recognizes them though they do not know him. Joseph accuses them of being spies, holds Symeon as surety, and sends the rest home with corn and their money secretly returned in their sacks, demanding they bring Benjamin back with them.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonAND when Jacob found that there was a sale in Egypt he said to his sons, Why sit ye still?

BrentonAnd Jacob having seen that there was a sale of corn in Egypt, said to his sons, Why are ye indolent?

GreekἸδὼν δὲ Ἰακὼβ ὅτι ἐστὶ πράσις ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ, εἶπε τοῖς υἱοῖς αὐτοῦ, ἱνατί ῥαθυμεῖτε;

KJVNow when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another?

JPSNow Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, and Jacob said unto his sons: ‘Why do ye look one upon another?’

ThomsonBehold I have heard that there is corn in Egypt; go down thither and buy us a little food that we may live and not die.

BrentonBehold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt; go down thither, and buy for us a little food, that we may live, and not die.

GreekἸδοὺ ἀκήκοα, ὅτι ἐστὶ σῖτος ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ· κατάβητε ἐκεὶ, καὶ πρίασθε ἡμῖν μικρὰ βρώματα, ἵνα ζήσωμεν καὶ μὴ ἀποθάνωμεν.

KJVAnd he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die.

JPSAnd he said: ‘Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt. Get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die.’

ThomsonSo Joseph’s ten brothers went down to purchase corn from Egypt:

BrentonAnd the ten brethren of Joseph went down to buy corn out of Egypt.

GreekΚατέβησαν δὲ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ Ἰωσὴφ οἱ δέκα, πρίασθαι σῖτον ἐξ Αἰγύπτου·

KJVAnd Joseph’s ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt.

JPSAnd Joseph’s ten brethren went down to buy corn from Egypt.

Thomsonbut Benjamin the brother of Joseph he did not send with his brothers; for he said, Perhaps some misfortune may happen to him.

BrentonBut Jacob sent not Benjamin, the brother of Joseph, with his brethren; for he said, Lest, haply, disease befal him.

GreekΤὸν δὲ Βενιαμὶν, τὸν ἀδελφὸν Ἰωσὴφ, οὐκ ἀπέστειλε μετὰ τῶν ἀδελφῶν αὐτοῦ· εἶπε γὰρ, μή ποτε συμβῇ αὐτῷ μαλακία.

KJVBut Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, Lest peradventure mischief befall him.

JPSBut Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said: ‘Lest peradventure harm befall him.’

ThomsonNow when the sons of Israel went to buy in company with others who were going, for the famine was in the land of Chanaan,

BrentonAnd the sons of Israel came to buy with those that came, for the famine was in the land of Chanaan.

GreekἮλθον δὲ οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ ἀγοράζειν μετὰ τῶν ἐρχομένων· ἦν γὰρ ὁ λιμὸς ἐν γῇ Χαναάν.

KJVAnd the sons of Israel came to buy corn among those that came: for the famine was in the land of Canaan.

JPSAnd the sons of Israel came to buy among those that came; for the famine was in the land of Caanan.

ThomsonJoseph was the governor of the country; he sold to all the people of that land. So when Joseph’s brothers came they made obeisance to him with their face to the ground.

BrentonAnd Joseph was ruler of the land; he sold to all the people of the land. And the brethren of Joseph, having come, did reverence to him, bowing with the face to the ground.

GreekἸωσὴφ δὲ ἦν ὁ ἄρχων τῆς γῆς· οὗτος ἐπώλει παντὶ τῷ λαῷ τῆς γῆς· ἐλθόντες δὲ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ Ἰωσὴφ προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ ἐπὶ πρόσωπον ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν.

KJVAnd Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph’s brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth.

JPSAnd Joseph was the governor over the land; he it was that sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph’s brethren came, and bowed down to him with their faces to the earth.

ThomsonAnd when Joseph saw his brothers he knew them and was reserved and spoke harshly to them and said to them, Whence come you? And they said, From the land of Chanaan to buy food.

BrentonAnd when Joseph saw his brethren, he knew them, and estranged himself from them, and spoke hard words to them; and said to them, Whence are ye come? And they said, Out of the land of Chanaan, to buy food.

GreekἸδὼν δὲ Ἰωσὴφ τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ, ἐπέγνω· καὶ ἠλλοτριοῦτο ἀπʼ αὐτῶν, καὶ ἐλάλησεν αὐτοῖς σκληρά· καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς, πόθεν ἥκατε; οἱ δὲ εἶπον, ἐκ γῆς Χαναὰν, ἀγοράσαι βρώματα.

KJVAnd Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food.

JPSAnd Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spoke roughly with them; and he said unto them: ‘Whence come ye?’ And they said: ‘From the land of Canaan to buy food.’

ThomsonNow Joseph knew his brothers, but they did not know him.

BrentonAnd Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him.

GreekἘπέγνω δὲ Ἰωσὴφ τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ· αὐτοὶ δὲ οὐκ ἐπέγνωσαν αὐτόν·

KJVAnd Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him.

JPSAnd Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew him not.

ThomsonAnd Joseph remembered the dreams, which he had dreamed and said to them, You are spies. You are come to examine the ways into this country.

BrentonAnd Joseph remembered his dream, which he saw; and he said to them, Ye are spies; to observe the marks of the land are ye come.

GreekΚαὶ ἐμνήσθη Ἰωσὴφ τῶν ἐνυπνίων αὐτοῦ, ὧν εἶδεν αὐτός· καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς, κατάσκοποί ἐστε, κατανοῆσαι τὰ ἴχνη τῆς χώρας ἥκατε.

KJVAnd Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.

JPSAnd Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them: ‘Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.’

ThomsonAnd they said, No, my lord. We thy servants are come to buy food.

BrentonBut they said, Nay, Sir, we thy servants are come to buy food;

GreekΟἱ δὲ εἶπαν, οὐχὶ, κύριε· οἱ παῖδές σου ἤλθομεν πρίασθαι βρώματα.

KJVAnd they said unto him, Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy servants come.

JPSAnd they said unto him: ‘Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy servants come.

ThomsonWe are all the sons of one man. We are men of peace. Thy servants are not spies.

Brentonwe are all sons of one man; we are peaceable, thy servants are not spies.

GreekΠάντες ἐσμὲν υἱοὶ ἑνὸς ἀνθρώπου· εἰρηνικοί ἐσμεν, οὐκ εἰσιν οἱ παῖδές σου κατάσκοποι.

KJVWe are all one man’s sons; we are true men, thy servants are no spies.

JPSWe are all one man’s sons; we are upright men, thy servants are no spies.’

ThomsonBut he said, Nay, you are come for no other purpose, but to examine the ways into this country.

BrentonAnd he said to them, Nay, but ye are come to observe the marks of the land.

GreekΕἶπε δὲ αὐτοῖς, οὐχί· ἀλλὰ τὰ ἴχνη τῆς γῆς ἤλθετε ἰδεῖν.

KJVAnd he said unto them, Nay, but to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.

JPSAnd he said unto them: ‘Nay, but to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.’

ThomsonThen they said, Thy servants were twelve brothers in the land of Chanaan. And lo! the youngest is now with our father; but the other is no more.

BrentonAnd they said, We thy servants are twelve brethren, in the land of Chanaan; and, behold, the youngest is with our father to-day, but the other one is not.

GreekΟἱ δὲ εἶπαν, δώδεκά ἐσμεν οἱ παῖδές σου ἀδελφοὶ ἐν γῇ Χαναάν· καὶ ἰδοὺ ὁ νεώτερος μετὰ τοῦ πατρὸς ἡμῶν σήμερον· ὁ δὲ ἕτερος οὐχ ὑπάρχει.

KJVAnd they said, Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not.

JPSAnd they said: ‘We thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not.’

ThomsonUpon this Joseph said, It is as I said, you are spies.

BrentonAnd Joseph said to them, This is it that I spoke to you, saying, ye are spies;

GreekΕἶπε δὲ αὐτοῖς Ἰωσὴφ, τοῦτό ἐστιν ὃ εἴρηκα ὑμῖν, λέγων, ὅτι κατάσκοποί ἐστε.

KJVAnd Joseph said unto them, That is it that I spake unto you, saying, Ye are spies:

JPSAnd Joseph said unto them: ‘That is it that I spoke unto you, saying: Ye are spies.

ThomsonBy this you shall be proved. By the health of Pharao you shall not depart hence unless your youngest brother come hither.

Brentonherein shall ye be manifested; by the health of Pharao, ye shall not depart hence, unless your younger brother come hither.

GreekἘν τούτῳ φανεῖσθε· νὴ τὴν ὑγίειαν Φαραὼ, οὐ μὴ ἐξέλθητε ἐντεῦθεν, ἐὰν μὴ ὁ ἀδελφὸς ὑμῶν ὁ νεώτερος ἔλθῃ ὧδε.

KJVHereby ye shall be proved: By the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither.

JPSHereby ye shall be proved, as Pharaoh liveth, ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither.

ThomsonSend one of you and bring your brother; but you must be confined, until your words be proved whether you speak true or not. If not, by the health of Pharao you are certainly spies.

BrentonSend one of you, and take your brother; and go ye to prison, till your words be clear, whether ye speak the truth or not; but, if not, by the health of Pharao, verily ye are spies.

GreekἈποστείλατε ἐξ ὑμῶν ἕνα, καὶ λάβετε τὸν ἀδελφὸν ὑμῶν· ὑμεῖς δὲ ἀπάχθητε ἕως τοῦ φανερὰ γενέσθαι τὰ ῥήματα ὑμῶν, εἰ ἀληθεύετε ἢ οὔ· εἰ δὲ μὴ, νὴ τὴν ὑγίειαν Φαραὼ, ἦ μὴν κατάσκοποί ἐστε.

KJVSend one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether there be any truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies.

JPSSend one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be bound, that your words may be proved, whether there be truth in you; or else, as Pharaoh liveth, surely ye are spies.’

ThomsonSo he committed them to prison three days.

BrentonAnd he put them in prison three days.

GreekΚαὶ ἔθετο αὐτοὺς ἐν φυλακῇ ἡμέρας τρεῖς.

KJVAnd he put them all together into ward three days.

JPSAnd he put them all together into ward three days.

ThomsonAnd on the third day he said to them, Do this and live; for I fear God.

BrentonAnd he said to them on the third day, This do, and ye shall live, for I fear God.

GreekΕἶπε δὲ αὐτοῖς τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ τρίτῃ, τοῦτο ποιήσατε, καὶ ζήσεσθε· τὸν Θεὸν γὰρ ἐγὼ φοβοῦμαι.

KJVAnd Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; for I fear God:

JPSAnd Joseph said unto them the third day.’ This do, and live; for I fear God:

ThomsonIf you are men of peace let one brother of you be kept in confinement. As for the rest, go and carry back your purchase of provisions

BrentonIf ye be peaceable, let one of your brethren be detained in prison; but go ye, and carry back the corn ye have purchased.

GreekΕἰ εἰρηνικοί ἐστε, ἀδελφὸς ὑμῶν κατασχεθήτω εἷς ἐν τῇ φυλακῇ· αὐτοὶ δὲ βαδίσατε, καὶ ἀπαγάγετε τὸν ἀγορασμὸν τῆς σιτοδοσίας ὑμῶν.

KJVIf ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your prison: go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses:

JPSif ye be upright men, let one of your brethren be bound in your prison-house; but go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses;

Thomsonand bring your younger brother to me, so shall your words be believed. Unless you do this you shall die.

BrentonAnd bring your younger brother to me, and your words shall be believed; but, if not, ye shall die. And they did so.

GreekΚαὶ τὸν ἀδελφὸν ὑμῶν τὸν νεώτερον ἀγάγετε πρός με, καὶ πιστευθήσονται τὰ ῥήματα ὑμῶν· εἰ δὲ μὴ, ἀποθανεῖσθε. Ἐποίησαν δὲ οὕτως.

KJVBut bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so.

JPSand bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die.’ And they did so.

ThomsonOn this occasion they acted thus—they said one to another, We indeed are to blame in respect to our brother. Because we disregarded the anguish of his soul, when he intreated us and we would not hear him; for this cause therefore this affliction is come upon us.

BrentonAnd each said to his brother, Yes, indeed, for we are in fault concerning our brother, when we disregarded the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we hearkened not to him; and therefore has this affliction come upon us.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν ἕκαστος πρὸς τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ, ναὶ, ἐν ἁμαρτίαις γάρ ἐσμεν περὶ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ ἡμῶν, ὅτι ὑπερίδομεν τὴν θλίψιν τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ, ὅτε κατεδέετο ἡμῶν, καὶ οὐκ εἰσηκούσαμεν αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἕνεκεν τούτου ἐπῆλθεν ἐφʼ ἡμᾶς ἡ θλίψις αὕτη.

KJVAnd they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.

JPSAnd they said one to another: ‘We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.’

ThomsonAnd Reuben in reply said to them, Did I not speak to you saying, Do the lad no injury, but you hearkened not to me. Now behold inquisition is made for his blood.

BrentonAnd Ruben answered them, saying, Did I not speak to you, saying, Hurt not the boy, and ye heard me not? and, behold, his blood is required.

GreekἈποκριθεὶς δὲ Ῥουβὴν εἶπεν αὐτοῖς, οὐκ ἐλάλησα ὑμῖν, λέγων, μὴ ἀδικήσητε τὸ παιδάριον, καὶ οὐκ εἰσηκούσατέ μου; καὶ ἰδοὺ τὸ αἷμα αὐτοῦ ἐκζητεῖται.

KJVAnd Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required.

JPSAnd Reuben answered them, saying: ‘Spoke I not unto you, saying: Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore also, behold, his blood is required.’

ThomsonThey indeed did not know that Joseph heard; for there was one to interpret between them.

BrentonBut they knew not that Joseph understood them; for there was an interpreter between them.

GreekΑὐτοὶ δὲ οὐκ ᾔδεισαν, ὅτι ἀκούει Ἰωσήφ· ὁ γὰρ ἑρμηνευτὴς ἀνὰ μέσον αὐτῶν ἦν·

KJVAnd they knew not that Joseph understood them; for he spake unto them by an interpreter.

JPSAnd they knew not that Joseph understood them; for the interpreter was between them.

ThomsonOn this Joseph withdrew from them and wept. Then he came to them again and spoke to them and he took Symeon from among them and bound him before their eyes.

BrentonAnd Joseph turned away from them, and wept; and again he came to them, and spoke to them; and he took Symeon from them, and bound him before their eyes.

GreekἈποστραφεὶς δὲ ἀπʼ αὐτῶν ἔκλαυσεν Ἰωσήφ· καὶ πάλιν προσῆλθε πρὸς αὐτοὺς, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· καὶ ἔλαβε τὸν Συμεὼν ἀπʼ αὐτῶν, καὶ ἔδησεν αὐτὸν ἐναντίον αὐτῶν.

KJVAnd he turned himself about from them, and wept; and returned to them again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon, and bound him before their eyes.

JPSAnd he turned himself about from them, and wept; and he returned to them, and spoke to them, and took Simeon from among them, and bound him before their eyes.

ThomsonThen Joseph gave orders to fill their sacks with corn and to put everyone’s money in his bag and to furnish them with provisions for the journey. So this being done for them

BrentonAnd Joseph gave orders to fill their vessels with corn, and to return their money to each into his sack, and to give them provision for the way; and it was so done to them.

GreekἘνετείλατο δὲ Ἰωσὴφ ἐμπλῆσαι τὰ ἀγγεῖα αὐτῶν σίτου, καὶ ἀποδοῦναι τὸ ἀργύριον αὐτῶν ἑκάστῳ εἰς τὸν σάκκον αὐτοῦ, καὶ δοῦναι αὐτοῖς ἐπισιτισμὸν εἰς τὴν ὁδόν· καὶ ἐγενήθη αὐτοῖς οὕτως.

KJVThen Joseph commanded to fill their sacks with corn, and to restore every man’s money into his sack, and to give them provision for the way: and thus did he unto them.

JPSThen Joseph commanded to fill their vessels with corn, and to restore every man’s money into his sack, and to give them provision for the way; and thus was it done unto them.

Thomsonthey loaded their asses with the corn, and departed thence.

BrentonAnd having put the corn on the asses, they departed thence.

GreekΚαὶ ἐπιθέντες τὸν σῖτον ἐπὶ τοῦς ὄνους αὐτῶν, ἀπῆλθον ἐκεῖθεν.

KJVAnd they laded their asses with the corn, and departed thence.

JPSAnd they laded their asses with their corn, and departed thence.

ThomsonAnd one of them, having loosed his bag to give his asses provender at a place where they lodged, saw his roll of money, for it was in the mouth of his bag,

BrentonAnd one having opened his sack to give his asses fodder, at the place where they rested, saw also his bundle of money, for it was on the mouth of his sack.

GreekΛύσας δὲ εἷς τὸν μάρσιππον αὐτοῦ, δοῦναι χορτάσματα τοῖς ὄνοις αὐτοῦ, οὗ κατέλυσαν, καὶ εἶδε τὸν δεσμὸν τοῦ ἀργυρίου αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἦν ἐπάνω τοῦ στόματος τοῦ μαρσίππου.

KJVAnd as one of them opened his sack to give his ass provender in the inn, he espied his money; for, behold, it was in his sack’s mouth.

JPSAnd as one of them opened his sack to give his ass provender in the lodging-place, he espied his money; and, behold, it was in the mouth of his sack.

Thomsonand said to his brothers, The money is returned to me. See, here it is in my bag. Whereupon their heart fainted and they were alarmed and said one to another, What is this which God hath done to us?

BrentonAnd he said to his brethren, My money has been restored to me, and behold this is in my sack. And their heart was wonder-struck, and they were troubled, saying one to another, What is this that God has done to us?

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς αὐτοῦ, ἀπεδόθη μοι τὸ ἀργύριον, καὶ ἰδοὺ τοῦτο ἐν τῷ μαρσίππῳ μου· καὶ ἐξέστη ἡ καρδία αὐτῶν, καὶ ἐταράχθησαν πρὸς ἀλλήλους, λέγοντες, τί τοῦτο ἐποίησεν ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῖν;

KJVAnd he said unto his brethren, My money is restored; and, lo, it is even in my sack: and their heart failed them, and they were afraid, saying one to another, What is this that God hath done unto us?

JPSAnd he said unto his brethren: ‘My money is restored; and, lo, it is even in my sack.’ And their heart failed them, and they turned trembling one to another, saying: ‘What is this that God hath done unto us?’

ThomsonAnd when they came to their father Jacob to the land of Chanaan, they told him all that had happened to them and said,

BrentonAnd they came to their father, Jacob, into the land of Chanaan, and reported to him all that had happened to them, saying,

GreekἮλθον δὲ πρὸς Ἰακὼβ τὸν πατέρα αὐτῶν εἰς γὴν Χαναὰν, καὶ ἀπήγγειλαν αὐτῷ πάντα τὰ συμβάντα αὐτοῖς, λέγοντες,

KJVAnd they came unto Jacob their father unto the land of Canaan, and told him all that befell unto them; saying,

JPSAnd they came unto Jacob their father unto the land of Canaan, and told him all that had befallen them, saying:

ThomsonThe man the lord of the country spoke harshly to us and put us in prison as coming to spy the country;

BrentonThe man, the lord of the land, spoke harsh words to us, and put us in prison as spies of the land.

GreekΛελάληκεν ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὁ κύριος τῆς γῆς πρὸς ἡμᾶς σκληρὰ, καὶ ἔθετο ἡμᾶς ἐν φυλακῇ, ὡς κατασκοπεύοντας τὴν γῆν.

KJVThe man, who is the lord of the land, spake roughly to us, and took us for spies of the country.

JPS’The man, the lord of the land, spoke roughly with us, and took us for spies of the country.

Thomsonand we told him, We are men of peace, We are not spies.

BrentonAnd we said to him, We are men of peace, we are not spies.

GreekΕἴπαμεν δὲ αὐτῷ, εἰρήνικοί ἐσμεν, οὐκ ἐσμὲν κατάσκοποι.

KJVAnd we said unto him, We are true men; we are no spies:

JPSAnd we said unto him: We are upright men; we are no spies.

ThomsonWe are twelve brothers, sons of one father. One is no more. And the youngest is now with our father in the land of Chanaan.

BrentonWe are twelve brethren, sons of our father; one is not, and the youngest is with his father to-day in the land of Chanaan.

GreekΔώδεκα ἀδελφοί ἐσμεν, υἱοὶ τοῦ πατρὸς ἡμῶν· ὁ εἷς οὐχ ὑπάρχει· ὁ δὲ μικρὸς μετὰ τοῦ πατρὸς ἡμῶν σήμερον ἐν γῇ Χαναάν.

KJVWe be twelve brethren, sons of our father; one is not, and the youngest is this day with our father in the land of Canaan.

JPSWe are twelve brethren, sons of our father; one is not, and the youngest is this day with our father in the land of Canaan. .

ThomsonUpon which the man the lord of the country said to us, By this I shall know that you are men of peace. Leave here with me one brother; and taking the corn purchased for your family go

BrentonAnd the man, the lord of the land, said to us, Herein shall I know that ye are peaceable; leave one brother here with me, and having taken the corn ye have purchased for your family, depart.

GreekΕἶπε δὲ ἡμῖν ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὁ κύριος τῆς γῆς, ἐν τούτῳ γνώσομαι, ὅτι εἰρηνικοί ἐστε· ἀδελφὸν ἕνα ἄφετε ὧδε μετʼ ἐμοῦ· τὸν δὲ ἀγορασμὸν τῆς σιτοδοσίας τοῦ οἴκου ὑμῶν λαβόντες ἀπέλθατε.

KJVAnd the man, the lord of the country, said unto us, Hereby shall I know that ye are true men; leave one of your brethren here with me, and take food for the famine of your households, and be gone:

JPSAnd the man, the lord of the land, said unto us: Hereby shall I know that ye are upright men: leave one of your brethren with me, and take corn for the famine of your houses, and go your way.

Thomsonand bring me your younger brother, then I shall know that you are not spies; but men of peace. And I will restore to you your brother and you may traffic in the land.

BrentonAnd bring to me your younger brother; then I shall know that ye are not spies, but that ye are men of peace: and I will restore you your brother, and ye shall trade in the land.

GreekΚαὶ ἀγάγετε πρός με τὸν ἀδελφὸν ὑμῶν τὸν νεώτερον· καὶ γνώσομαι ὅτι οὐ κατάσκοποί ἐστε, ἀλλʼ ὅτι εἰρηνικοί ἐστε· καὶ τὸν ἀδελφὸν ὑμῶν ἀποδώσω ὑμῖν, καὶ τῇ γῇ ἐμπορεύσεσθε.

KJVAnd bring your youngest brother unto me: then shall I know that ye are no spies, but that ye are true men: so will I deliver you your brother, and ye shall traffick in the land.

JPSAnd bring your youngest brother unto me; then shall I know that ye are no spies, but that ye are upright men; so will I deliver you your brother, and ye shall traffic in the land.’

ThomsonAnd when they emptied their sacks every one’s roll of money was in their several sacks. And when they and their father saw their rolls of money they were terrified.

BrentonAnd it came to pass as they were emptying their sacks, there was each man's bundle of money in his sack; and they and their father saw their bundles of money, and they were afraid.

GreekἘγένετο δὲ ἐν τῷ κατακενοῦν αὐτοὺς τοὺς σάκκους αὐτῶν, καὶ ἦν ἑκάστου ὁ δεσμὸς τοῦ ἀργυρίου ἐν τῷ σάκκῳ αὐτῶν· καὶ εἶδον τοὺς δεσμοὺς τοῦ ἀργυρίου αὐτῶν αὐτοὶ, καὶ ὁ πατὴρ αὐτῶν, καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν.

KJVAnd it came to pass as they emptied their sacks, that, behold, every man’s bundle of money was in his sack: and when both they and their father saw the bundles of money, they were afraid.

JPSAnd it came to pass as they emptied their sacks, that, behold, every man’s bundle of money was in his sack; and when they and their father saw their bundles of money, they were afraid.

ThomsonAnd Jacob their father said to them, Me you have bereaved of children. Joseph is gone. Symeon is gone. And will you take away Benjamin? All these things are against me.

BrentonAnd their father Jacob said to them, Ye have bereaved me. Joseph is not, Symeon is not, and will ye take Benjamin? all these things have come upon me.

GreekΕἶπε δὲ αὐτοῖς Ἰακὼβ ὁ πατὴρ αὐτῶν, ἐμὲ ἠτεκνώσατε· Ἰωσὴφ οὐκ ἔστι, Συμεὼν οὐκ ἔστι, καὶ τὸν Βενιαμὶν λήψεσθε; ἐπʼ ἐμὲ ἐγένετο ταῦτα πάντα.

KJVAnd Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me.

JPSAnd Jacob their father said unto them: ‘Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away; upon me are all these things come.’

ThomsonThen Reuben spoke to their father saying, Slay my two sons, If I bring him not back to thee. Commit him to my charge and I will bring him back to thee.

BrentonAnd Ruben spoke to his father, saying, Slay my two sons, if I bring him not to thee; give him into my hand, and I will bring him back to thee.

GreekΕἶπε δὲ Ῥουβὴν τῷ πατρὶ αὐτῶν, λέγων, τοὺς δύο υἱούς μου ἀπόκτεινον, ἐὰν μὴ ἀγάγω αὐτὸν πρὸς σέ· δὸς αὐτὸν εἰς τὴν χεῖρά μου, κᾀγὼ ἀνάξω αὐτὸν πρὸς σέ.

KJVAnd Reuben spake unto his father, saying, Slay my two sons, if I bring him not to thee: deliver him into my hand, and I will bring him to thee again.

JPSAnd Reuben spoke unto his father, saying: ‘Thou shalt slay my two sons, if I bring him not to thee; deliver him into my hand, and I will bring him back to thee.’

ThomsonBut he said, My son shall not go down with you. For his brother is dead and he alone is left. If any mischief should happen to him in the way you are going, you will bring down my old age with sorrow to the mansion of the dead.

BrentonBut he said, My son shall not go down with you, because his brother is dead, and he only has been left; and suppose it shall come to pass that he is afflicted by the way by which ye go, then ye shall bring down my old age with sorrow to Hades.

GreekὉ δὲ εἶπεν, οὐ καταβήσεται ὁ υἱός μου μεθʼ ὑμῶν, ὅτι ὁ ἀδελφὸς αὐτοῦ ἀπέθανε, καὶ αὐτὸς μόνος καταλέλειπται· καὶ συμβήσεται αὐτὸν μαλακισθῆναι ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ, ᾗ ἐὰν πορεύησθε, καὶ κατάξετέ μου τὸ γῆρας μετὰ λύπης εἰς ᾅδοῦ.

KJVAnd he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.

JPSAnd he said: ‘My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he only is left; if harm befall him by the way in which ye go, then will ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.