Genesis 44:1-15

1Joseph commanded the man in charge of his house, “Fill the men’s sacks with as much food as they can carry. Put each man’s money in his sack.

2Then put my silver cup in the youngest brother’s sack along with the money for his grain.” He did what Joseph told him.

3At dawn the men were sent on their way with their donkeys.

4They had not gone far from the city when Joseph said to the man in charge of his house, “Go after those men at once, and when you catch up with them, say to them, ‘Why have you paid me back with evil when I was good to you?

5Isn’t this the cup that my master drinks from and that he uses for telling the future? What you have done is evil!’ ”

6When he caught up with them, he repeated these words to them.

7They answered him, “Sir, how can you say such things? We would never think of doing anything like that!

8We brought the money we found in our sacks back from Canaan. So why would we steal any silver or gold from your master’s house?

9If one of us has it, he will die, and the rest of us will become your slaves.”

10“I agree,” he said. “We’ll do what you’ve said. The man who has the cup will be my slave, and the rest of you can go free.”

11Each one quickly lowered his sack to the ground and opened it.

12Then the man made a thorough search. He began with the oldest and ended with the youngest. The cup was found in Benjamin’s sack.

13When they saw this, they tore their clothes in grief. Then each one loaded his donkey and went back into the city.

14Judah and his brothers arrived at Joseph’s house while Joseph was still there. Immediately, they bowed with their faces touching the ground.

15Joseph asked them, “What have you done? Don’t you know that a man like me can find things out because he knows the future?”