Genesis 42:9–20

⁹Then he remembered his dreams^a about them and said to them, “You are spies!^b You have come to see where our land is unprotected.”^c

¹⁰“No, my lord,^d” they answered. “Your servants have come to buy food.^{e 11}We are all the sons of one man. Your servants^f are honest men,^g not spies.^h”

¹²“No!” he said to them. “You have come to see where our land is unprotected.”ⁱ

¹³But they replied, “Your servants^j were twelve brothers, the sons of one man, who lives in the land of Canaan.^k The youngest is now with our father, and one is no more.”^l

¹⁴Joseph said to them, “It is just as I told you: You are spies!^{m 15}And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives,ⁿ you will not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here.^{o 16}Send one of your number to get your brother;^p the rest of you will be kept in prison,^q so that your words may be tested to see if you are telling the truth.^r If you are not, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!^s” ¹⁷And he put them all in custody^t for three days.

¹⁸On the third day, Joseph said to them, “Do this and you will live, for I fear God:^{u 19}If you are honest men,^v let one of your brothers stay here in prison,^w while the rest of you go and take grain back for your starving households.^{x 20}But you must bring your youngest brother to me,^y so that your words may be verified and that you may not die.” This they proceeded to do.