9. I will be a surety for him. You may hold me personally responsible for him. If I fail to bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever.
10. For if we had not delayed, we could have returned twice.”
11. Their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, do this. Take some of the best fruits in the land in your bags, and carry down a present for the man: a little balm and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds.
12. Take double the money with you, along with the money that was brought back in the mouths of your sacks. Carry it with you again. Perhaps it was a mistake.
13. Also, take your brother and arise, return to the man.
14. And may God Almighty give you mercy before the man, so that he may send away your other brother, along with Benjamin. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.”
15. The men took the gift, and they took double the money with them, along with Benjamin. Then they went on their way down to Egypt and stood before Joseph.
16. When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the house steward, “Bring these men home, slaughter an animal and prepare it, for these men will dine with me at noon.”
17. The man did as Joseph ordered, so the man brought the men into Joseph’s house.
18. The men were afraid because they were brought into Joseph’s house. They said, “We have been brought in because of the money that was returned in our sacks the first time, so that he may seek occasion against us and fall upon us and take us for slaves with our donkeys.”
19. They approached the steward of Joseph’s house, and they spoke with him at the entrance of the house.
20. They said, “My lord, we indeed came down the first time to buy food.
21. When we came to the lodging place, we opened our sacks and realized every man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight. So we have brought it again with us.
22. We have also brought additional money with us to buy food. We cannot tell who put our money in our sacks.”
23. He said, “Be at peace; do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks. I had your money.” Then he brought Simeon out to them.
24. The man brought the men into Joseph’s house and gave them water to wash their feet and gave feed to their donkeys.