13 But they explained, “Sir, we come from a family of twelve brothers. The youngest is still with our father in Canaan, and one of our brothers is dead.”
14 Joseph replied:It's just like I said. You're spies,
15 and I'm going to find out who you really are. I swear by the life of the king that you won't leave this place until your youngest brother comes here.
16 Choose one of you to go after your brother, while the rest of you stay here in jail. That will show whether you are telling the truth. But if you are lying, I swear by the life of the king that you are spies!
17 Joseph kept them all under guard for three days,
18 before saying to them:Since I respect God, I'll give you a chance to save your lives.
19 If you are honest men, one of you must stay here in jail, and the rest of you can take the grain back to your starving families.