¹⁸ But the men were afraid because they were taken to Joseph’s house. They said, “We have been brought here because of the silver that was returned in our bags the first time. They intend to overpower us, seize us, make us slaves, and take our donkeys.”

⁴ Now his father and mother did not know this was from the Lord,^(A) who wanted the Philistines to provide an opportunity for a confrontation.^[a] At that time, the Philistines were ruling Israel.

The Furnace of Blazing Fire

⁸ Some Chaldeans^(A) took this occasion to come forward and maliciously accuse^[a](B) the Jews.

God and Caesar

²⁰ They^(A) watched closely^(B) and sent spies^(C) who pretended to be righteous,^[a] so that they could catch him in what he said,^(D) to hand him^(E) over to the governor’s^(F) rule and authority.