Genesis 42
NKJV
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New King James Version

Genesis 42:7-20

7Joseph saw his brothers and recognized them, but he acted as a stranger to them and spoke roughly to them. Then he said to them, “Where do you come from?” And they said, “From the land of Canaan to buy food.”

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

9Then Joseph remembered the dreams which he had dreamed about them, and said to them, “You are spies! You have come to see the nakedness of the land!”

10And they said to him, “No, my lord, but your servants have come to buy food.

11We are all one man’s sons; we are honest men; your servants are not spies.”

12But he said to them, “No, but you have come to see the nakedness of the land.”

13And they said, “Your servants are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and in fact, the youngest is with our father today, and one is no more.”

14But Joseph said to them, “It is as I spoke to you, saying, ‘You are spies!’

15In this manner 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, and let him bring your brother; and you shall be kept in prison, that your words may be tested to see whether there is any truth in you; or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies!”

17So he put them all together in prison three days.

18Then Joseph said to them the third day, “Do this and live, for I fear God:

19If you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined to your prison house; but you, go and carry grain for the famine of your houses.

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

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Commentaries on Genesis 42

New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc