Then
Pharaoh chose Joseph to be ruler over all the land of Egypt. So Joseph rode in
Pharaoh’s second chariot, and they cried before him, “Bow the knee.”
In
the seven plentious years the earth brought forth by handfuls, and Joseph
gathered up all the corn that was over and stored it in the cities.
After
the seven years of plenty, the famine began. But there was corn in Egypt, and
all countries came into Egypt to Joseph to buy corn, for the famine was over
all the earth.
Joseph’s
ten brothers also came to Egypt from Canaan to buy corn.
When
Joseph saw them, he knew them, but they knew him not. And he spoke roughly to
them and said, “Ye are spies.” And Joseph put them in prison three days.
The
Joseph said to them the third day, “This do, and live; for I fear God. If ye be
true men, let one of you be bound in prison, and go ye, carry corn for the
famine in your houses.
“But
bring your brother Benjamin, of whom you speak, to me, so shall the truth of
your words be known.” For Joseph had asked very strictly about their family,
and how they were. And they did so, and they left Simeon in prison.
Gen. 42:1-24