¹⁸ On the third day, Joseph said to them, “Do this and you will live, for I fear God:^{(A) 19} If you are honest men,^(B) let one of your brothers stay here in prison,^(C) while the rest of you go and take grain back for your starving households.^{(D) 20} But you must bring your youngest brother to me,^(E) so that your words may be verified and that you may not die.” This they proceeded to do.

²¹ They said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother.^(F) We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress^(G) has come on us.”

²² Reuben replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy?^(H) But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting^(I) for his blood.”^(J)