²⁸ So when the Midianite^(A) merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern^(B) and sold^(C) him for twenty shekels^[a] of silver^(D) to the Ishmaelites,^(E) who took him to Egypt.^(F)

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

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