16. Send one of you, and let him bring your brother, but you will be kept in prison so that your words might be tested to see if there is truth with you. And if not, by the life of Pharaoh surely you are spies.”
17. Then he gathered them into the prison for three days.
18. On the third day Joseph said to them, “Do this and you will live; I fear God.
19. If you are honest, let one of your brothers be kept in prison where you are now being kept, but the rest of you go, carry grain for the famine for your households.
20. You must bring your youngest brother to me, and then your words will be confirmed and you will not die.” And they did so.
21. Then each said to his brother, “Surely we are guilty on account of our brother when we saw the anguish of his soul when he pleaded for mercy to us and we would not listen. Therefore this trouble has come to us.”
22. Then Reuben answered them, saying, “Did I not say to you, do not sin against the boy? But you did not listen, and now, behold, his blood has been sought.”
23. Now they did not know that Joseph understood, for the interpreter was between them.
24. And he turned away from them and wept. Then he returned to them and spoke to them, and took Simeon from them and tied him up in front of them.
25. Then Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain and to return their money to each sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. Thus he did for them.