⁵⁵ When all Egypt began to feel the famine,^(A) the people cried to Pharaoh for food. Then Pharaoh told all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph and do what he tells you.”^(B)

⁵⁶ When the famine had spread over the whole country, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians,^(C) for the famine^(D) was severe throughout Egypt.^{(E) 57} And all the world came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph,^(F) because the famine was severe everywhere.^(G)

⁵ So Israel’s sons were among those who went to buy grain,^(A) for there was famine in the land of Canaan^(B) also.^(C)

⁶ Now Joseph was the governor of the land,^(D) the person who sold grain to all its people.^(E) So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground.^{(F) 7} As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them.^(G) “Where do you come from?”^(H) he asked.

“From the land of Canaan,” they replied, “to buy food.”

¹⁷ And he put them all in custody^(A) for three days.

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

²¹ They said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother.^(G) We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress^(H) has come on us.”

²² Reuben replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy?^(I) But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting^(J) for his blood.”^{(K) 23} They did not realize^(L) that Joseph could understand them,^(M) since he was using an interpreter.

²⁴ He turned away from them and began to weep,^(N) but then came back and spoke to them again. He had Simeon taken from them and bound before their eyes.^(O)