Study Desk

And when they had eaten up all the corn, which they had brought out of Egypt, Jacob said to his sons: Go again, and buy us a little food.

But they answered: The man asked us in order concerning our kindred: if our father lived: if we had a brother: and we answered him regularly, according to what he demanded: could we know that he would say: Bring hither your brother with you?

And when he had seen them, and Benjamin with them, he commanded the steward of his house, saying: Bring in the men into the house, and kill victims, and prepare a feast: because they shall eat with me at noon.

And they being much afraid, said there one to another: Because of the money, which we carried back the first time in our sacks, we are brought in: that he may bring upon us a false accusation, and by violence make slaves of us and our asses.

And having brought them into the house, he fetched water, and they washed their feet, and he gave provender to their asses.

Then Joseph came in to his house, and they offered him the presents, holding them in their hands; and they bowed down with their face to the ground.

And they answered: Thy servant our father, is in health; he is yet living. And bowing themselves, they made obeisance to him.

And when it was set on, for Joseph apart, and for his brethren apart, for the Egyptians also that ate with him apart, (for it is unlawful for the Egyptians to eat with the Hebrews, and they think such a feast profane):

They sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his age. And they wondered very much;

Taking the messes which they received of him: and the greater mess came to Benjamin, so that it exceeded by five parts. And they drank, and were merry with him.

And Joseph commanded the steward of his house, saying: Fill their sacks with corn, as much as they can hold: and put the money of every one in the top of his sack.

And when the morning arose, they were sent away with their asses.

And when they were now departed out of the city, and had gone forward a little way: Joseph sending for the steward of his house, said: Arise, and pursue after the men: and when thou hast overtaken them, say to them: Why have you returned evil for good?

And they answered: Why doth our lord speak so, as though thy servants had committed so heinous a fact?

Then they speedily took down their sacks to the ground, and every man opened his sack.

Then they rent their garments, and loading their asses again, returned into the town.

And Juda at the head of his brethren went in to Joseph (for he was not yet gone out of the place) and they all together fell down before him on the ground.

And he said mildly to them: Come nearer to me. And when they were come near him, he said: I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into Egypt.

And Joseph kissed all his brethren, and wept upon every one of them: after which they were emboldened to speak to him.

Give orders also that they take wagons out of the land of Egypt, for the carriage of their children and their wives; and say: Take up your father, and make haste to come with all speed: