The famine pressed hard on Canaan, and Jacob said to his sons, "Why are you sitting here looking at one another? I hear there is grain in Egypt. Go, that we may live and not die."
So ten brothers went, but Jacob kept Benjamin behind, fearing harm might come to him.
When they reached Egypt, they bowed low before Joseph—the brother they had sold, though they did not know him. Joseph recognized them at once, but hid his identity. He spoke harshly:
"Where do you come from?"
"From Canaan, to buy food," they answered.
Joseph remembered his dreams of their bowing and accused them: "You are spies! You came to see where our land is weak."
They protested, "No, my lord! We are honest men, twelve brothers, sons of one father. The youngest is with our father, and one is no more."
But Joseph insisted: "It is as I said-you are spies! Here is how you will be tested: bring your youngest brother here. Until then, one of you will stay in prison."
He kept them all in custody for three days. On the third day he said, "Do this and live, for I fear God. Let one brother remain here, but the rest may carry grain home to your families. Yet you must bring your youngest brother, that your words may be proved true."
The brothers whispered among themselves: "Surely this is punishment for our brother. We saw his anguish when he begged us, but we would not listen."
Reuben cried, "Did I not warn you not to sin against the boy? Now his blood is required of us!"
They did not know Joseph understood every word, for he spoke through an interpreter. Joseph turned aside and wept, then returned and bound Simeon before their eyes.
He ordered their sacks filled with grain, their silver secretly returned, and provisions given for the road.
On the journey, one brother opened his sack and saw the silver at its mouth. Trembling, they said, "What has God done to us?"
When they reached Jacob, they told him all that had happened. As they emptied their sacks, every man found his silver returned, and fear struck them all.
Jacob cried in anguish: "You have robbed me of my children! Joseph is gone, Simeon is gone, and now you would take Benjamin. Everything is against me!"
Reuben pleaded: " Entrust Benjamin to me. If I do not bring him back, you may put my two sons to death. I will return him safely."
But Jacob refused: "My son will not go down. His brother is dead, and he alone is left. If harn comes to him, you will bring my gray head down in sorrow."
And so the family remained in despair, with famine still raging.