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) 23} They did not realize^(F) that Joseph could understand them,^(G) since he was using an interpreter.