Revised Standard Version RSV
New International Version NIV
1 When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, "Why do you look at one another?"
1
When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why do you just keep looking at each other?”
2 And he said, "Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down and buy grain for us there, that we may live, and not die."
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He continued, “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.”
3 So ten of Joseph's brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt.
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Then ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt.
4 But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph's brother, with his brothers, for he feared that harm might befall him.
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But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with the others, because he was afraid that harm might come to him.
5 Thus the sons of Israel came to buy among the others who came, for the famine was in the land of Canaan.
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So Israel’s sons were among those who went to buy grain, for there was famine in the land of Canaan also.
6 Now Joseph was governor over the land; he it was who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph's brothers came, and bowed themselves before him with their faces to the ground.
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Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the person who sold grain to all its people. So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground.
7 Joseph saw his brothers, and knew them, but he treated them like strangers and spoke roughly to them. "Where do you come from?" he said. They said, "From the land of Canaan, to buy food."
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As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them. “Where do you come from?” he asked. “From the land of Canaan,” they replied, “to buy food.”
8 Thus Joseph knew his brothers, but they did not know him.
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Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him.
9 And Joseph remembered the dreams which he had dreamed of them; and he said to them, "You are spies, you have come to see the weakness of the land."
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Then he remembered his dreams about them and said to them, “You are spies! You have come to see where our land is unprotected.”
10 They said to him, "No, my lord, but to buy food have your servants come.
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“No, my lord,” they answered. “Your servants have come to buy food.
11 We are all sons of one man, we are honest men, your servants are not spies."
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We are all the sons of one man. Your servants are honest men, not spies.”
12 He said to them, "No, it is the weakness of the land that you have come to see."
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“No!” he said to them. “You have come to see where our land is unprotected.”
13 And they said, "We, your servants, are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is no more."
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But they replied, “Your servants were twelve brothers, the sons of one man, who lives in the land of Canaan. The youngest is now with our father, and one is no more.”
14 But Joseph said to them, "It is as I said to you, you are spies.
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Joseph said to them, “It is just as I told you: You are spies!
15 By this you shall be tested: by the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go from this place unless your youngest brother comes here.
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And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives, you will not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here.
16 Send one of you, and let him bring your brother, while you remain in prison, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you; or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies."
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Send one of your number to get your brother; the rest of you will be kept in prison, so that your words may be tested to see if you are telling the truth. If you are not, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!”
17 And he put them all together in prison for three days.
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And he put them all in custody for three days.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.