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179 Joseph 12:76
guard our brother, and we shall themselves before Joseph, he took
obtain an additional camel-load his brother [Benjamin] aside. He
of grain. This [that we bring said, ‘I am your brother, so do not
66
now] is a small quantity.’ He feel distressed about whatever they
70
[Jacob] said, ‘I will never send have been doing.’ And when he
him with you until you give me had given them their provisions,
a solemn pledge, before God, he placed a drinking-cup in his
that you will indeed bring him brother’s pack. Then a crier called
back to me, unless you yourselves out after them, ‘Men of the
are trapped [in a compulsive caravan! You have committed
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situation].’ And when they had theft!’ They said, turning towards
given him their solemn pledge, him, ‘What is it that you have
[Jacob] said, ‘God shall be lost?’ 72 ‘We miss the royal
witness to all that we say.’ measuring bowl,’ he replied. ‘He
67 ‘O my sons! Do not all of who brings it shall have a camel-
you enter [the city] by one gate; load of corn. I pledge my word for
enter by separate gates. I cannot it.’ 73 They said, ‘By God, you
help you in any way against [ought to] know we have not
God; judgement is His alone. In come here to cause any trouble in
Him I have put my trust. In Him the land. We are not thieves!’
let the faithful put their trust.’ 74 The Egyptians asked them, ‘And
68 They entered [safely] as their if we find that you are lying, what
father had told them. However, penalty shall we mete out to you?’
he had no power to guard them 75 They replied, ‘The penalty
against God’s decree. It was only should be that he in whose
a wish in Jacob’s soul which he saddlebag it is found, should be
had thus fulfilled. He was held [as bondman] to atone for the
possessed of knowledge which crime. That is how we punish the
We had given him. But most wrongdoers.’ 76 He [the herald]
people have no knowledge. searched their bags before his
69 When they presented brother’s and then took out the