Genesis 42:1-11

Joseph’s Brothers Go to Egypt 1When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why do you just keep looking at each other?”

2He continued, “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.” 3Then ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt. 4But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with the others, because he was afraid that harm might come to him.

5So Israel’s sons were among those who went to buy grain, for there was famine in the land of Canaan also. 6Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the person who sold grain to all its people. So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground.

7As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them. “Where do you come from?” he asked. “From the land of Canaan,” they replied, “to buy food.” 8Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him.

9Then he remembered his dreams about them and said to them, “You are spies! You have come to see where our land is unprotected.” 10“No, my lord,” they answered. “Your servants have come to buy food.

11We are all the sons of one man. Your servants are honest men, not spies.”