Genesis 43

All 34 verses in the Clear Bible Translation. Tap a verse to compare the KJV and read what it means.

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1. 1The famine was severe throughout the land.
2. 2Once they had used up all the grain they brought from Egypt, their father told them, "Go back and purchase a little more food for us."
3. 3Judah replied, "The man warned us sternly, saying, 'You will not be allowed into my presence unless your brother is with you.'"
4. 4"If you are willing to send our brother along with us, we will go down and buy food for you."
5. 5"But if you refuse to send him, we will not go, because the man told us, 'You will not be allowed into my presence unless your brother is with you.'"
6. 6Israel said, "Why did you treat me so badly by telling the man you had another brother?"
7. 7They answered, "The man questioned us thoroughly about ourselves and our family, asking, 'Is your father still living? Do you have another brother?' We simply answered his questions. How could we have possibly known he would demand, 'Bring your brother here'?"
8. 8Judah said to his father Israel, "Let the boy come with me, and we will get up and go, so that we may survive and not starve — all of us, including you and our children."
9. 9"I personally guarantee his safety. You can hold me responsible. If I do not return him to you and place him right in front of you, I will carry the guilt for the rest of my life."
10. 10"If we had not delayed so long, we could have already made the trip and come back a second time by now."
11. 11Their father Israel told them, "If that is how it must be, then do this: pack some of the finest products of the land in your bags and bring them as a gift to the man — a little balm, a little honey, spices, myrrh, nuts, and almonds."
12. 12"Also take twice as much silver with you, and return the silver that was placed back in the tops of your sacks. Perhaps it was a mistake."
13. 13"Take your brother as well, and go back to the man."
14. 14May God Almighty grant you mercy in the man's presence, so that he releases your other brother along with Benjamin. As for me, if I must lose my children, then I must lose them.
15. 15So the men gathered the gifts, took twice the amount of silver, and brought Benjamin with them. They traveled down to Egypt and presented themselves before Joseph.
16. 16When Joseph noticed Benjamin among them, he instructed the manager of his household, "Take these men to my home, slaughter an animal, and prepare a meal, because these men will eat with me at midday."
17. 17The manager carried out Joseph's orders and brought the men to Joseph's house.
18. 18The men became frightened when they were led into Joseph's house. They said to each other, "It is because of the silver that was put back in our sacks the first time. He is looking for an excuse to attack us, seize us as slaves, and take our donkeys."
19. 19They approached the steward of Joseph's household and spoke with him at the entrance of the house.
20. 20They said, "Please, sir, we came down the first time simply to purchase food."
21. 21"When we stopped for the night and opened our sacks, each of us found his full amount of silver right at the top of his sack. We have brought it all back with us."
22. 22"We have also brought additional silver to buy food. We have no idea who placed our silver in our sacks."
23. 23The steward said, "Everything is fine. Do not be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, must have placed treasure in your sacks. I received your payment." Then he brought Simeon out to them.
24. 24The steward led the men into Joseph's house, provided them with water so they could wash their feet, and gave feed to their donkeys.
25. 25They prepared their gifts for Joseph's arrival at noon, since they had been told they would be eating a meal there.
26. 26When Joseph arrived home, they presented the gifts they had brought into the house and bowed down before him with their faces to the ground.
27. 27He asked how they were doing and said, "Is your elderly father well, the one you told me about? Is he still alive?"
28. 28They replied, "Your servant, our father, is in good health and still living." Then they knelt down and bowed low before him.
29. 29Joseph looked up and saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother's son, and asked, "Is this your youngest brother, the one you mentioned to me?" Then he said, "May God be gracious to you, my son."
30. 30Joseph hurried out because his emotions overwhelmed him at the sight of his brother. He found a private room and wept there.
31. 31After washing his face, he came back out, composed himself, and said, "Serve the meal."
32. 32Joseph was served separately, the brothers were served separately, and the Egyptians who ate with him were served separately, because Egyptians considered it detestable to share a meal with Hebrews.
33. 33The brothers were seated facing him in order from the oldest to the youngest, and they looked at one another in astonishment.
34. 34Joseph had portions of food sent to them from his own table, but Benjamin's portion was five times larger than anyone else's. They drank freely and enjoyed themselves with him.