BRAGADAYJAH 139

BRAGADAYJAH 139 Joseph then kept his brothers locked up for three days, and on the third day he went to them and said, “this is what I want you to do because I fear God; if you are telling the truth, I will let you go, and I will give you corn to take with you; only one of you shall be kept here locked up until the rest of you return with your youngest brother. If you do so you shall not die but live.” All this time, Joseph was speaking to them through an interpreter, and they still did not know it was to their lost brother Joseph to whom they spoke; so they began talking among themselves not knowing that this foreign Ruler understood their speech. So they said one to another, “We are truly guilty concerning our brother, because we saw the anguish on his face when he begged us not to do the evil that we were doing to him, and we would not listen; that is why this evil has turned on us.” And in their self recrimination, Rueben said, did I not urge you not to sin against the child, and you would not hear, but now his blood is required at our hands.” Hearing them speak thus, Joseph left the room and went aside and wept before drying his eyes and returning to them. Arriving back he took Simeon from among them and had him bound in their presence; and gave them final instructions as to what was expected of them. After that he instructed his men to fill their sacks with corn, every man his sack and, also to leave each man’s money in his sack. And thus done, he bid them depart, reminding them of their obligation, as they saddled their asses and departed for home. More.