⁷ As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them.^(A) “Where do you come from?”^(B) he asked.

“From the land of Canaan,” they replied, “to buy food.”

⁸ Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him.^{(C) 9} Then he remembered his dreams^(D) about them and said to them, “You are spies!^(E) You have come to see where our land is unprotected.”^(F)

¹⁰ “No, my lord,^(G)” they answered. “Your servants have come to buy food.^{(H) 11} We are all the sons of one man. Your servants^(I) are honest men,^(J) not spies.^(K)”

¹² “No!” he said to them. “You have come to see where our land is unprotected.”^(L)

¹³ But they replied, “Your servants^(M) were twelve brothers, the sons of one man, who lives in the land of Canaan.^(N) The youngest is now with our father, and one is no more.”^(O)

¹⁴ Joseph said to them, “It is just as I told you: You are spies!^{(P) 15} And this is how you will be tested: As surely as Pharaoh lives,^(Q) you will not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here.^{(R) 16} Send one of your number to get your brother;^(S) the rest of you will be kept in prison,^(T) so that your words may be tested to see if you are telling the truth.^(U) If you are not, then as surely as Pharaoh lives, you are spies!^(V)” ¹⁷ And he put them all in custody^(W) for three days.

¹⁸ On the third day, Joseph said to them, “Do this and you will live, for I fear God:^{(X) 19} If you are honest men,^(Y) let one of your brothers stay here in prison,^(Z) while the rest of you go and take grain back for your starving households.^{(AA) 20} But you must bring your youngest brother to me,^(AB) so that your words may be verified and that you may not die.” This they proceeded to do.