Genesis 37:21-30

21And Reuben heard [it], and delivered him out of their hand, and said, Let us not take his life.

22And Reuben said to them, Shed no blood: cast him into this pit which is in the wilderness; but lay no hand upon him — in order that he might deliver him out of their hand, to bring him to his father again.

23And it came to pass when Joseph came to his brethren, that they stripped Joseph of his vest, the vest of many colours, which he had on;

24and they took him and cast him into the pit; now the pit was empty — there was no water in it.

25And they sat down to eat bread; and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and behold, a caravan of Ishmaelites came from Gilead; and their camels bore tragacanth, and balsam, and ladanum — going to carry [it] down to Egypt.

26And Judah said to his brethren, What profit is it that we kill our brother and secrete his blood?

27Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites; but let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother, our flesh. And his brethren hearkened [to him].

28And Midianitish men, merchants, passed by; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty silver-pieces; and they brought Joseph to Egypt.

29And Reuben returned to the pit, and behold, Joseph [was] not in the pit; and he rent his garments,

30and returned to his brethren, and said, The child is not; and I, where shall I go?