19 If you are honest, let one of you[a] be confined to the guardhouse, while the rest of you go and take grain to relieve the hunger of your households. 20 Bring your youngest brother to me so that your words can be confirmed; then you won’t die.” And they consented to this.

21 Then they said to each other, “Obviously, we are being punished for what we did to our brother. We saw his deep distress when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this trouble has come to us.”(A)

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Footnotes

  1. Genesis 42:19 Lit your brothers

19 If you are honest men,(A) let one of your brothers stay here in prison,(B) while the rest of you go and take grain back for your starving households.(C) 20 But you must bring your youngest brother to me,(D) 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.(E) We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress(F) has come on us.”

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