Genesis 42:29–38

²⁹When they came to their father Jacob in the land of Canaan,^s they told him all that had happened to them.^t They said, ³⁰“The man who is lord over the land spoke harshly to us^u and treated us as though we were spying on the land.^{v 31}But we said to him, ‘We are honest men; we are not spies.^{w 32}We were twelve brothers, sons of one father. One is no more, and the youngest is now with our father in Canaan.’^x

³³“Then the man who is lord over the land said to us, ‘This is how I will know whether you are honest men: Leave one of your brothers here with me, and take food for your starving households and go.^{y 34}But bring your youngest brother to me so I will know that you are not spies but honest men.^z Then I will give your brother back to you,^a and you can trade^a in the land.^b’ ”

³⁵As they were emptying their sacks, there in each man’s sack was his pouch of silver!^c When they and their father saw the money pouches, they were frightened.^{d 36}Their father Jacob said to them, “You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more,^e and now you want to take Benjamin.^f Everything is against me!^g”

³⁷Then Reuben said to his father, “You may put both of my sons to death if I do not bring him back to you. Entrust him to my care,^h and I will bring him back.”ⁱ

³⁸But Jacob said, “My son will not go down there with you; his brother is dead^j and he is the only one left. If harm comes to him^k on the journey you are taking, you will bring my gray head down to the grave^l in sorrow.^m”