80-81 : The Brothers Dine At Josephs House
Joseph saw Benjamin with them, and he said to the ruler of his house:
"Take these men home, kill some meat, and make it ready, for these men will dine with me at noon."
The servant did as Joseph told him, and took the brothers to Joseph's house.
The men were afraid when they were brought into Joseph's house,
and they said: "It is because of the money that was returned in our sacks the first time
that we have been brought here, so that he may find fault with us,
and fall upon us, and take us for slaves, and seize our asses."
So they approached the steward of Joseph's house, and they spoke to him in the doorway.
"O Sir," they said, "truly we came down the first time only to buy food,
but when we went back and opened our sacks,
behold, every man's money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full amount,
so we have brought it back with us.
"We have brought other money, too, to buy food.
We do not know who put the money in our sacks."
"Peace be with you," said the steward. "
Fear not. Your God, the God of your father, gave you the treasure in your sacks.
I received your money."
Then he brought Simeon out to them.
The man took the brothers into Joseph's house,
and he gave them water to wash their feet, and he gave food to their asses.
Meanwhile they prepared the presents to give to Joseph when he came in at noon,
for they had been told that they were to eat there.
When Joseph came home, they gave to him the presents which they had brought into the house,
and they bowed themselves down to the earth before him.
He asked them how they were, and said: "Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke?
Is he still alive?"
"Your servant, our father, is in good health," they answered. "He is still alive."
And they bowed down their heads respecfully.
Lifting up his eyes, Joseph saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother's son and he said:
"Is this the youngest brother of whom you told me?"
Then he said: "God be gracious to you, my son."
Then Joseph hurried away, for his heart yearned for his brother, and he sought a place to weep.
He went into his room and he wept there.
Then he washed his face and calmed himself and went out and said: "Serve the food."
JOSEPH DINES WITH HIS BROTHERS
The servants served him separately and the brothers by themselves,
and the Egyptians, who ate also by themselves,
because the Egyptians could not eat bread with the Hebrews,
for that was against the laws of the Egyptians.
The brothers sat before Joseph in order,
from the first-born according to his birthright down to the youngest according to his youth.
The men looked at one another in wonderment.
Joseph sent servings to them from his table,
and Benjamin's serving was five times as much as any of the others.
They drank and were merry with him.
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