For seven years the ground produced abundantlyThe grain was too much to count, like the sand of the seaTo Joseph, were born two sons before the famine cameThe firstborn Manasseh, the second EphraimAt last, the years of plenty finally endedIn the land of Egypt famine descendedThe people cried out to Pharaoh for breadSo to all the Egyptians, Pharaoh said,“Go to Joseph; whatever he says, you must do.”Joseph opened the storehouses, sold them the foodOver the whole earth the famine fellAll countries came to Joseph to buy grain as wellBack in Canaan, Jacob spoke to Joseph’s brothers,“Why do you sit there looking at each other?!Go down to Egypt, where there’s grain I’ve heard.Buy some that we might live, and our hunger be curedSo Jacob’s sons traveled to Egypt, but only tenFor Jacob feared losing young BenjaminJoseph had been made governor, the most important man in townWhen his brothers arrived, they respectfully bowed downJoseph recognized them, he knew who they wereYet to Reuben and the rest, Joseph was but a stranger“Where are you from?!” He demanded, quite rude“From Canaan,” they replied, “We’re here to buy food.”Joseph studied them through narrow eyes“No! I believe you’ve come here as spies!”“No my lord, we’re honest men!” They objected“No! You’ve come to see where our land is unprotected!”“We’re the sons of one man!” they continued to implore“The youngest is with our father, and one is no more.”“You are spies I say! Here is how you’ll be tested.One of you may leave while the remainder arrested.Return with your youngest brother. Bring him to me.If you’re telling the truth I will set you free.Do this and you’ll live, for it’s God I fearI’ll send you home with grain, but one must stay hereAmongst themselves, the brothers conversed“This is because of what we did to Joseph, we’re cursed!”“I told you not to sin against the boy!” said Reuben“Now we must account for his blood since you wouldn’t listen!”Joseph turned away, tears fell to the groundThen he came back, had Simeon taken and boundJoseph gave them provisions for their journey backBut also returned the men’s silver in each sackThey loaded their donkeys and began to departThat night one opened his sack with a sinking heart“Look!” he said, “My silver’s been returned!Is this the wrath of God that we’ve earned?”When they came to Jacob, they told him what had transpiredThat Benjamin must come to Egypt was what the governor requiredThey emptied their sacks, all the money was thereJacob said to them in a trembling voice, scared,“Joseph is gone, and Simeon too!Now Benjamin will be taken from me because of you!”Reuben answered his father with one breath,“If I don’t bring Ben back, put MY sons to death.”Jacob replied, “My son will not go!If Ben comes to harm, I would die of sorrow!”
