And Judah spoke, saying, “What shall we say unto my lord? What shall we speak, for how shall we justify ourselves? God hath found out the iniquity of thy servants, and sent this calamity upon us.”
Then Joseph arose, and grasping hold of Benjamin he led him to another room, and pushing him therein closed the door upon him. He then told the others to return to their homes in peace, saying, “I will keep the one in whose possession the cup was found; return ye in peace.”
Then Judah answered: “Know that I became a surety with our father for the lad’s safe return. ‘If he comes not back with us,’ I said, ‘lo, I shall be considered as sinning before thee all my days.’ Oh, my lord, let me find grace in thy eyes; let me but take the lad home to his father, and I will return to take his place as thy servant. See, I am stronger and older than he is, let me be thy servant instead of Benjamin.”
“Upon one condition,” replied Joseph, “the lad may go with you. Bring before me his brother, his mother’s son of whom you have spoken, and I will take him in place of Benjamin. You did become a surety for him to your father, therefore let me have him, and the brother for whom you did become a surety shall return home with you.”
Then Simeon drew near and answered: “Did we not tell my lord, when first we came before him, that this lost brother we could not find? Wherefore will my lord speak such idle words? We know not, alas! whether this brother be alive or dead.”
“Suppose, then,” said Joseph, “that I should call him before me, will ye then give him to me in place of Benjamin?” And, raising his voice, he called aloud, “Joseph! Joseph! appear Joseph, and sit before thy brethren.”
The sons of Jacob wondered much at these words, and their blood grew chill as they looked around in fear and amazement to see from whence their brother was to appear.
And Joseph said to them: “Why do ye look around? Your brother is before you. I am Joseph whom ye sold to Egypt. But nay, be not alarmed, ye were but instruments, and to save life did God send me hither.”
And the men were much frightened, and Judah especially was terrified at the startling words. Benjamin, who was in the inner court, heard them, and hurrying before Joseph, he threw himself upon the latter’s breast, and kissing him, they wept together. The other brothers too were much affected, and the people about wondered, and the report of the occurrence reached Pharaoh’s palace.
Pharaoh was pleased with the news, and sent a deputation of his officers to welcome Joseph’s brethren, and to bid them, in his name, to bring their families and their household goods and make their homes in Egypt.