Genesis 42:7-20

7When Joseph saw his brothers he recognized them, but [hiding his identity] he treated them as strangers and spoke harshly to them. He said to them, “Where have you come from?” And they said, “From the land of Canaan, to buy food.”

8Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him.

9Joseph remembered the dreams he had dreamed about them, and said to them, “You are spies; you have come [with a malicious purpose] to observe the undefended parts of our land.”

10But they said to him, “No, my lord, for your servants have [only] come to buy food.

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

12Yet he said to them, “No, you have come to see the undefended parts of our land.”

13But they said, “Your servants are twelve brothers [in all], the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; please listen: the youngest is with our father today, and one is no longer alive.”

14Joseph said to them, “It is as I said to you, you are spies.

15In this way you shall be tested: by the life of Pharaoh, you shall not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here!

16Send one of you [back home], and let him bring your brother [here], while [the rest of] you remain confined, so that your words may be tested, [to see] whether there is any truth in you [and your story]; or else, by the life of Pharaoh, certainly you are spies.”

17Then Joseph put them all in prison for three days.

18Now Joseph said to them on the third day, “Do this and [you may] live, for I fear God:

19if you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined in your [place here in] prison; but as for the rest of you, go, carry grain for the famine in your households,

20but bring your youngest brother to me, so your words will be verified and you will not die.” And they did so.