Genesis 44:1–14

The Missing Cup

44Joseph commanded the servant in charge of his house, “Fill the men’s sacks with as much food as they can carry, and put each man’s money in the top of his sack. ²Put my silver cup in the top of the youngest brother’s sack, together with the money for his corn.” He did as he was told. ³Early in the morning the brothers were sent on their way with their donkeys. ⁴When they had gone only a short distance from the city, Joseph said to the servant in charge of his house, “Hurry after those men. When you catch up with them, ask them, ‘Why have you paid back evil for good? ⁵Why did you steal my master’s silver cup?^a It is the one he drinks from, the one he uses for divination. You have committed a serious crime!’ ”

⁶When the servant caught up with them, he repeated these words. ⁷They answered him, “What do you mean, sir, by talking like this? We swear that we have done no such thing. ⁸You know that we brought back to you from the land of Canaan the money we found in the top of our sacks. Why then should we steal silver or gold from your master’s house? ⁹Sir, if any one of us is found to have it, he will be put to death, and the rest of us will become your slaves.”

¹⁰He said, “I agree; but only the one who has taken the cup will become my slave, and the rest of you can go free.” ¹¹So they quickly lowered their sacks to the ground, and each man opened his sack. ¹²Joseph’s servant searched carefully, beginning with the eldest and ending with the youngest, and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack. ¹³The brothers tore their clothes in sorrow, loaded their donkeys, and returned to the city.

¹⁴When Judah and his brothers came to Joseph’s house, he was still there. They bowed down before him,