44Genesis 44

The Missing Cup

2Later, Joseph told the servant in charge of his house, “Fill the men's grain sacks with as much as they can hold and put their money in the sacks. Also put my silver cup in the sack of the youngest brother.” The servant did as he was told.Select Genesis 44:2

3Early the next morning, the men were sent on their way with their donkeys.Select Genesis 44:3

4But they had not gone far from the city when Joseph told the servant, “Go after those men! When you catch them, say, ‘My master has been good to you. So why have you stolen his silver cup?Select Genesis 44:4

5Not only does he drink from his cup, but he also uses it to learn about the future. You have done a terrible thing.’ ”Select Genesis 44:5

6When the servant caught up with them, he said exactly what Joseph had told him to say.Select Genesis 44:6

7But they replied, “Sir, why do you say such things? We would never do anything like that!Select Genesis 44:7

8We even returned the money we found in our grain sacks when we got back to Canaan. So why would we want to steal any silver or gold from your master's house?Select Genesis 44:8

9If you find that one of us has the cup, then kill him, and the rest of us will become your slaves.”Select Genesis 44:9

10“Good!” the man replied, “I'll do what you have said. But only the one who has the cup will become my slave. The rest of you can go free.”Select Genesis 44:10

11Each of the brothers quickly put his sack on the ground and opened it.Select Genesis 44:11

12Joseph's servant started searching the sacks, beginning with the one that belonged to the oldest brother. When he came to Benjamin's sack, he found the cup.Select Genesis 44:12

13This upset the brothers so much that they began tearing their clothes in sorrow. Then they loaded their donkeys and returned to the city.Select Genesis 44:13

14When Judah and his brothers got there, Joseph was still at home. So they bowed down to Joseph,Select Genesis 44:14

15who asked them, “What have you done? Didn't you know I could find out?”Select Genesis 44:15

16“Sir, what can we say?” Judah replied. “How can we say we are innocent, when God has shown we are guilty? And now all of us are your slaves, especially the one who had the cup.”Select Genesis 44:16

17Joseph told them, “I would never punish all of you. Only the one who was caught with the cup will become my slave. The rest of you are free to go home to your father.”Select Genesis 44:17

Judah Pleads for Benjamin

18Judah went over to Joseph and said: Sir, you have as much power as the king himself, and I am only your slave. Please don't get angry if I speak.Select Genesis 44:18

19You asked us if our father was still alive and if we had any more brothers.Select Genesis 44:19

20So we told you, “Our father is a very old man. In fact, he was already old when Benjamin was born. Benjamin's brother is dead. Now Benjamin is the only one of the two brothers who is still alive, and our father loves him very much.”Select Genesis 44:20

21You ordered us to bring him here, so you could see him for yourself.Select Genesis 44:21

22We told you that our father would die if Benjamin left him.Select Genesis 44:22

23But you warned us that we could never see you again, unless our youngest brother came with us.Select Genesis 44:23

24So we returned to our father and reported what you had said.Select Genesis 44:24

25Later our father sent us back here to buy more grain.Select Genesis 44:25

26But we told him, “We can't go back to Egypt without our youngest brother. We will never be let in to see the governor, unless he is with us.”Select Genesis 44:26

27Sir, our father then reminded us that his favorite wife had given birth to two sons.Select Genesis 44:27

28One of them was already missing and had not been seen for a long time. My father thinks the boy was torn to pieces by some wild animal,Select Genesis 44:28

29and he said, “I am an old man. If you take Benjamin from me, and something happens to him, I will die of a broken heart.”Select Genesis 44:29

30That's why Benjamin must be with us when I go back to my father. He loves him so muchSelect Genesis 44:30

31that he will die if Benjamin doesn't come back with me.Select Genesis 44:31

32I promised my father that I would bring him safely home. If I don't, I told my father he could blame me the rest of my life.Select Genesis 44:32

33Sir, I am your slave. Please let me stay here in place of Benjamin and let him return home with his brothers.Select Genesis 44:33

34How can I face my father if Benjamin isn't with me? I couldn't bear to see my father in such sorrow.Select Genesis 44:34