DaySpring Hope & Encouragement Bible - Flipbook - Page 79
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G enesis 43
“The man kept asking us questions about our family,” they replied. “He
asked, ‘Is your father still alive? Do you have another brother?’ So we answered his questions. How could we know he would say, ‘Bring your brother
down here’?”
8 Judah said to his father, “Send the boy with me, and we will be on our way.
Otherwise we will all die of s tarvation—and not only we, but you and our
little ones. 9 I personally guarantee his safety. You may hold me responsible
if I don’t bring him back to you. Then let me bear the blame forever. 10 If we
hadn’t wasted all this time, we could have gone and returned twice by now.”
11 So their father, Jacob, finally said to them, “If it can’t be avoided, then at
least do this. Pack your bags with the best products of this land. Take them
down to the man as gifts—balm, honey, gum, aromatic resin, pistachio nuts,
and almonds. 12 Also take double the money that was put back in your sacks,
as it was probably someone’s mistake. 13 Then take your brother, and go back
to the man. 14 May God Almighty* give you mercy as you go before the man,
so that he will release Simeon and let Benjamin return. But if I must lose
my children, so be it.”
15 So the men packed Jacob’s gifts and double the money and headed off
with Benjamin. They finally arrived in Egypt and presented themselves to
Joseph. 16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the manager of
his household, “These men will eat with me this noon. Take them inside the
palace. Then go slaughter an animal, and prepare a big feast.” 17 So the man
did as Joseph told him and took them into Joseph’s palace.
18 The brothers were terrified when they saw that they were being taken
into Joseph’s house. “It’s because of the money someone put in our sacks last
time we were here,” they said. “He plans to pretend that we stole it. Then he
will seize us, make us slaves, and take our donkeys.”
7
A Feast at Joseph’s Palace
19 The brothers approached the manager of Joseph’s household and spoke
to him at the entrance to the palace. 20 “Sir,” they said, “we came to Egypt
once before to buy food. 21 But as we were returning home, we stopped
for the night and opened our sacks. Then we discovered that each man’s
money—the exact amount p
aid—was in the top of his sack! Here it is; we
have brought it back with us. 22 We also have additional money to buy more
food. We have no idea who put our money in our sacks.”
23 “Relax. Don’t be afraid,” the household manager told them. “Your God,
the God of your father, must have put this treasure into your sacks. I know
I received your payment.” Then he released Simeon and brought him out
to them.
24 The manager then led the men into Joseph’s palace. He gave them water
to wash their feet and provided food for their donkeys. 25 They were told
they would be eating there, so they prepared their gifts for Joseph’s arrival
at noon.
26 When Joseph came home, they gave him the gifts they had brought him,
then bowed low to the ground before him. 27 After greeting them, he asked,
“How is your father, the old man you spoke about? Is he still alive?”
28 “Yes,” they replied. “Our father, your servant, is alive and well.” And
they bowed low again.
43:14 Hebrew El-Shaddai.
