THE

BOOK OF GENESIS

CHAPTER THE FORTY-FOURTH.

1. And he Referring to Joseph, though he remains unrecognized by his brothers at this point commanded him that was over his house, saying, Fill the men's bags with food, as much as they can carry, and put every one's silver in his bag's mouth.
2. And put my cup, the silver cup, in the bag's mouth of the youngest Benjamin, the youngest brother, and his grain silver grain silver: money used to purchase grain; original Latin: argentum frumenti. And he did according to the word of Joseph that he had spoken.
3. The morning grew light, and the men were sent away, they and their asses.
4. They were gone out of the city, not yet far off, and Joseph said unto him that was over his house, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore do ye return evil for good?
5. Is not this it the silver cup in which my lord drinketh, and in which divining he divineth? Divining refers to the ancient practice of scrying or seeking hidden knowledge, often through rituals involving liquids in a vessel Ye have done evil in so doing.
6. And he overtook them, and he spake unto them these words.
7. And they said unto him, Wherefore speaketh my lord according to these words? Far be it from thy servants to do according to this word.
8. Behold, the silver which we found in our bag's mouth we brought back to thee out of the land of Canaan; and how should we steal out of thy lord's house silver or gold?
9. With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, let him die, and we also will be to my lord for servants.
10. And he said, Now also according to your words so be it; he with whom it is found shall be to me a servant, and ye shall be blameless.
11. And they hastened, and made every one his bag come down to the earth, and opened every man his bag.