⁷ They replied, “The man questioned us closely about ourselves and our family. ‘Is your father still living?’^(A) he asked us. ‘Do you have another brother?’^(B) We simply answered his questions. How were we to know he would say, ‘Bring your brother down here’?”^(C)

⁸ Then Judah^(D) said to Israel^(E) his father, “Send the boy along with me and we will go at once, so that we and you and our children may live and not die.^{(F) 9} I myself will guarantee his safety; you can hold me personally responsible for him.^(G) If I do not bring him back to you and set him here before you, I will bear the blame^(H) before you all my life.^{(I) 10} As it is, if we had not delayed,^(J) we could have gone and returned twice.”

¹¹ Then their father Israel^(K) said to them, “If it must be, then do this: Put some of the best products^(L) of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift^(M)—a little balm^(N) and a little honey, some spices^(O) and myrrh,^(P) some pistachio nuts and almonds. ¹² Take double the amount^(Q) of silver with you, for you must return the silver that was put back into the mouths of your sacks.^(R) Perhaps it was a mistake. ¹³ Take your brother also and go back to the man at once.^{(S) 14} And may God Almighty^[a](T) grant you mercy^(U) before the man so that he will let your other brother and Benjamin come back with you.^(V) As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.”^(W)

2 My dear children,^(A) I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate^(B) with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. ² He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins,^(C) and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.^(D)