Then the sons of Jacob went down again to Egypt. And they took Benjamin with them, and they took, also, presents and twofold money.
“Take heed of the lad,” were Jacob’s parting words; “separate not from him either in Egypt or upon the road”; and when they had gone, he sought the presence of the Almighty in prayer.
And the wives of Jacob’s sons, and his grandchildren, they, too, lifted their eyes and hearts to Heaven.
Jacob also addressed the following letter, to be delivered by his sons into the hands of Joseph:
“From thy servant, Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham the Hebrew.
“The prince of God unto the mighty and wise King Zaphenath-Päaneah, the King of Egypt, peace.
“My lord, the King, knows well that the famine is sore in the land of Canaan; therefore I sent my sons to thee to buy food for our sustenance. I charged them not to enter the city by the same gate, lest coming together they might attract the attention of the inhabitants. And, lo, their obedience to my orders has caused them to be accused by thee as spies. Oh, my lord, could not an intelligent man, such as thou art, read truth upon the faces of my sons? Much have I heard of thy wisdom and the understanding which thou didst display in the interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams, in foretelling this grievous famine,—how, then, was it possible that thou shouldst suspect my sons?
“Behold, I am surrounded with children; I am very old, and my eyes wax dim; tearful have they been for twenty years in lamenting the loss of my son Joseph, and now I have sent to thee his brother Benjamin as thou didst command; I pray thee, O my lord, to be good to him, and return him to me with his brothers. The strength of God has ever been with us; He has listened to our prayers, and He has never forsaken us; protect thou my son who is coming unto thee, and God will look favourably upon thee and upon thy kingdom. Send him home again with his brothers, and Simeon also send with them in peace.”
This letter was entrusted into Judah’s hands.
Thus the sons of Jacob went down again to Egypt with Benjamin and with the presents, and they stood before Joseph. And Joseph released Simeon from prison, and restored him to his brethren. And Simeon told them of the kind treatment which he had received since their departure.