The brothers of Joseph heard that in Egypt there was corn stored away in
plenty; so they went down into Egypt to beg for it.
They came before Joseph, and bowed low before him, even as in the vision
so long ago it had been foretold that they would bow before him.
"Who are you?" said Joseph; for he wished to try his brothers and see if
they would speak the truth.
"We are the sons of Jacob," said they; "and we are come from the land of
Canaan."
"Have you any other brothers?" asked Joseph.
"We have one younger brother at home," they said.
"How do I know if you speak truly? Go to your homes--I will give you
corn--and bring to me your youngest brother. Meanwhile I will hold one
of you here as prisoner until you return. Then shall I know if you are
honest men."
So the nine brothers went back to Canaan and told Jacob what had
happened; but they did not know it was Joseph they had seen.
And when they told Jacob what the man in Egypt had said, and that Simeon
had been left a prisoner, the old father lifted up his voice and wept.
"Never," said he, "shall ye carry Benjamin into Egypt. Joseph ye have
lost to me, and now Simeon! And if mischief befall Benjamin by the way
in which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs in sorrow to the
grave."
But when all the corn was eaten and there was no more food, Jacob was
obliged to send Benjamin into Egypt with his brothers; for they dared
not go without him.
Joseph saw them coming, and his heart was glad when he saw his brother
Benjamin with them.
So he spoke to his servants and bade them make ready a feast for the ten
men who had come from Canaan. Simeon he freed from prison, and all were
received into his own home.
They came into the banquet hall, and again they all bowed low before
Joseph, as in the dream it had been prophesied they should do.
"Is thy father well?" Joseph asked of his brothers.