18. But the men were afraid, because they had been brought into Joseph’s house. They said, “It’s because of the silver that was returned to our sacks the first time that we are being brought in—to pounce on us and fall on us and take us as slaves, along with our donkeys.”
19. So they approached the man who was over Joseph’s house and spoke to him at the entrance of the house.
20. “I beg your pardon, my lord!” they said. “We indeed came down on the previous occasion to buy grain for food.
21. When we came to the lodge and opened our sacks, behold, there was each man’s money at the opening of the sack, the full amount of our money. So we’ve returned it in our hand.
22. Moreover, we’ve brought down other money in our hand to buy grain for food. We didn’t know who put our money into our sacks.”
23. “Be at peace,” he replied. “Don’t be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks. Your money had come to me.” Then he brought Simeon out to them,
24. and the man brought the men into Joseph’s house, gave them water and they washed their feet. He also provided fodder for their donkeys.
25. So they prepared the offering for Joseph’s coming at noon, for they had heard that they were going to eat there.
26. When Joseph came home, they brought him the offering in their hand into the house, and they bowed down to the ground to him.
27. Then he asked if they were well, and said, “Is he well—your elderly father that you told me about? Is he still alive?”
28. “Your servant, our father, is well,” they said. “He’s still alive.” Then they knelt and bowed down.
29. Then he lifted his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, “Is this your youngest brother whom you mentioned to me?” Then he said, “May God be gracious to you, my son.”
30. Then Joseph hurried out because his compassion grew warm and tender toward his brother so that he wanted to cry. So he went into an inner room and wept there.
31. Then he washed his face, came out, and controlled himself. “Serve the food,” he said.
32. So they served him by himself, them by themselves, and the Egyptians who were eating with him by themselves (for Egyptians could not eat with the Hebrews because it was an abomination to Egyptians).