If there had not guilty of sin against thee for ever. been this delay, we should have been there and back again by this time."

Jacob replied: "If it must needs be so, do what You will. Take of the best fruits of the land in your Vessels, and carry down presents to the man, a little balm and honey, incense, myrrh, dates, and almonds; and take with you double money, and carry back what You found in the sacks, lest perhaps it was done by mistake. And take also your brother, and go to the man; and God Almighty give you favour with the man, that he may send away your other brother and Benjamin; and as for me, I shall be left alone, without a child with me."

at noon.

Joseph's brethren came safely down into Egypt, with Benjamin in their company. When Joseph heard that Benjamin was with them, he commanded his steward, saying: "Bring the men into the house, and kill and prepare a feast, for they shall eat with me The steward did as Joseph commanded, and bid them come into the house. Joseph's brethren began to be afraid, and said one to another: "It is because of the money which we carried back in our sacks the first time, that we are brought in. The man means to bring a false charge against us, and by violence to make slaves of us and our asses." They went up to the steward as he stood at the door of the house, and said: "Sir, we desire thee to hear us;"

they began to tell him of the money they had back the first time, and how they had brought them again, with fresh money besides, to buy

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what they wanted. The steward answered, "Peace be with you; fear not." And he brought out Simeon to them. And having brought them into the house, he fetched water, and they washed their feet; and he gave provender to their asses. They then made ready their presents against Joseph's coming at noon, for they had heard that they were to dine with Joseph. When Joseph came into the house, they presented themselves before him; and holding their gifts in their hands, bowed down with their faces to the ground. Joseph courteously saluting them, again asked them, saying: "Is the old man, your father, in health, of whom you told me? is he still living?" And they answered: "Thy servant, our father, is in health; he is yet living." And bowing themselves, they made obeisance before him. Joseph now observed Benjamin, his brother by the same mother, and said: "Is this your younger brother, of whom you told me? And he said, God be gracious to thee, my son." And he made haste to leave the room, for his heart was moved towards his brother; and the tears gushed out; and going into his chamber, he wept there. Refraining himself, however, he washed his face, and returned, and said: "Set bread on the table." This was done, setting for Joseph apart by himself and for his brethren; and for the Egyptians also that ate with him apart by themselves, for the Egyptians considered it unlawful to eat with the Hebrews, who were shepherds. Joseph's brethren were surprised at finding that they were served each according to his age, the first-born according to his birthright, and so on to the

youngest, until it came to Benjamin's turn, who received a portion that exceeded those set before his brethren by five times. They wondered much at all they saw; but yet they feasted and made merry with Joseph.

§ 30. Joseph's Silver Cup.

Joseph had one more trial to make of his brethren, to see whether they felt any jealousy against Benjamin, on account of the distinction that had been shown to him at the feast, before he made himself known to them. When the feast was over, Joseph commanded his steward, saying: "Fill their sacks with corn, as much as they can hold, and put every man's money in the mouth of his sack, and in the mouth of the sack of the youngest put my silver cup and the price which he gave for the wheat." This was done; and when the morning came they were sent away with their asses. And after they had gone a little way out of the city, Joseph sent for the steward of his house, and said : "Arise, and pursue after the men, and when thou hast overtaken them, say to them, Why have you returned evil for good? The cup which you have stolen is that in which my lord drinketh, and in which he is wont to divine: you have done a very evil thing."

The steward did as he was commanded. And when he had overtaken them, he spoke to them what Joseph had told him to say. They replied: "Why doth our lord speak thus of his servants? The money that we found in the top of our sacks we brought back to thee from the land of Canaan; how, then, should it be that

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THE CUP FOUND IN BENJAMIN'S SACK. we should steal out of thy lord's house gold or silver? With whomsoever of thy servants shall be found that which thou seekest, let him die; and we will be the

bondmen of my lord." And he said to them: "Let it be according as you say: with whomsoever it shall be found, let him be my servant, and you shall be

Then they speedily took down their sacks Ad, and every man opened his sack. The rched them through all in order, beginning he first, and when he came last to Benjamin's cup was found in it. Then they rent their and reloading their asses, returned into the d went before Joseph, with Juda at their head, wwdown at his feet.

ph said to them: "Why have ye done this Anow ye not that such a man as I could divine thing that ye have done?" Juda said to him: What shall we answer to my lord? God has found

the iniquity of thy servants; behold, we are all adsmen to my lord, both we and he with whom the Sp was found." Joseph replied: "God forbid that I should do so; he that stole the cup, he shall be my bondsman, and go you away free back to your father."

Then Juda coming nearer to Joseph, said boldly: "I beseech thee, my lord, let thy servant speak a word in thine ears, and be not angry with thy servant, for after Pharao thou art the next. Thou didst ask thy servants the first time, Have you yet a father or a brother? And we answered my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a young boy who was born in his old age, whose brother by the mother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loveth him tenderly. And thou saidst to thy servants, Bring him hither to me, and I will set my eyes upon him. We said to my lord, The boy cannot leave his father, for if he leave him he will die. And thou saidst to thy servants, Except your youngest brother come with

you,