Jubilees 42

In the first year of the third week of the forty-fifth jubilee, the famine spread across the land. The rain refused to fall.

REF And the famine began to come into the land.

The earth became barren, but in Egypt there was food, for Joseph had stored grain during the seven years of plenty.

REF And in Egypt there was food, for Joseph had stored it.

The Egyptians came to Joseph for food. He opened the storehouses. People from every land came to buy.

REF And all lands came to Egypt to buy.

Jacob sent his ten sons to Egypt for grain, but he did not send Benjamin.

REF And Jacob sent his ten sons but kept Benjamin.

They went and arrived in Egypt. Joseph saw them and recognized them, but they did not recognize him.

REF And Joseph recognized them, but they did not recognize him.

He spoke harshly and asked: Where have you come from? They said: From Canaan, to buy food. He said: You are spies!

REF And he spoke roughly and accused them of being spies.

They protested: We are twelve brothers, sons of one father. The youngest is with our father, and one is no more.

REF And they said: 'We are twelve brethren. The youngest is with our father.'

He put them in custody for three days. On the third day he said: Let one brother remain while the rest carry grain home.

REF And he put them in ward three days, then demanded Benjamin.

Then bring your youngest brother to me, so I will know you are not spies. They agreed.

REF 'Bring me your youngest brother.'

Joseph overheard them say: We are truly guilty concerning our brother. We saw his anguish when he pleaded with us. Joseph turned away and wept in secret.

REF And Joseph heard them say: 'We are guilty concerning our brother.'

He kept Simeon alone and sent the other nine with grain and their money hidden in their sacks.

REF And he kept Simeon and sent the nine away with grain.

They told Jacob everything. He refused to send Benjamin: You have robbed me of my children!

REF And they told Jacob, and he refused to send Benjamin.

Jacob said: Joseph is gone, Simeon is gone, and now you want Benjamin. Everything falls on me!

REF And Jacob said: 'Joseph is not, Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin.'

When the food ran out, Jacob said: Go back and buy more grain.

REF And when the food was consumed, Jacob said: 'Go again.'

Judah spoke up: The man warned us — you will not see my face unless your brother is with you.

REF And Judah said: 'The man will not see us without Benjamin.'

Israel said: Why did you treat me so badly by telling the man you had another brother?

REF And Israel said: 'Why did ye tell the man ye had another brother?'

Judah said: I myself will guarantee his safety. If I do not bring him back, let me bear the blame forever.

REF And Judah said: 'I will be surety for him.'

Jacob sent his son Benjamin with them. Judah stood as surety.

REF And Jacob sent Benjamin with them.

When they stood before Joseph and he saw Benjamin, he was overcome with emotion.

REF And they stood before Joseph, and he saw Benjamin.

He prepared a feast for them. They ate, drank, and were glad.

REF And he made them a feast.

Benjamin's portion was seven times larger than anyone else's.

REF And Benjamin's portion was seven times more.

Joseph devised a test. He had his silver cup placed in Benjamin's sack.

REF And Joseph placed his cup in Benjamin's sack.

They departed in the morning, but Joseph sent servants after them. The cup was found in Benjamin's sack.

REF And his servants found the cup in Benjamin's sack.

They were brought back. They fell before him. Judah said: God has uncovered our guilt. We are all your slaves.

REF And they were brought back before Joseph.

Joseph said: Only the man in whose possession the cup was found will be my slave. The rest — go in peace to your father.

REF And Joseph said: 'Only the one with the cup shall be my slave.'