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the antiquities of the jews-1-第24章

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Joseph saw that they were in this distress; he was so affected at
it that he fell into tears; and not being willing that they
should take notice of him; he retired; and after a while came to
them again; and taking Symeon (6) in order to his being a pledge
for his brethren's return; he bid them take the corn they had
bought; and go their way。 He also commanded his steward privily
to put the money which they had brought with them for the
purchase of corn into their sacks; and to dismiss them therewith;
who did what he was commanded to do。

5。 Now when Jacob's sons were come into the land of Canaan; they
told their father what had happened to them in Egypt; and that
they were taken to have come thither as spies upon the king; and
how they said they were brethren; and had left their eleventh
brother with their father; but were not believed; and how they
had left Symeon with the governor; until Benjamin should go
thither; and be a testimonial of the truth of what they had said:
and they begged of their father to fear nothing; but to send the
lad along with them。 But Jacob was not pleased with any thing his
sons had done; and he took the detention of Symeon heinously; and
thence thought it a foolish thing to give up Benjamin also。
Neither did he yield to Reubel's persuasion; though he begged it
of him; and gave leave that the grandfather might; in way of
requital; kill his own sons; in case any harm came to Benjamin in
the journey。 So they were distressed; and knew not what to do;
nay; there was another accident that still disturbed them more; …
the money that was found hidden in their sacks of corn。 Yet when
the corn they had brought failed them; and when the famine still
afflicted them; and necessity forced them; Jacob did (7) 'not'
still resolve to send Benjamin with his brethren; although there
was no returning into Egypt unless they came with what they had
promised。 Now the misery growing every day worse; and his sons
begging it of him; he had no other course to take in his present
circumstances。 And Judas; who was of a bold temper on other
occasions; spake his mind very freely to him: 〃That it did not
become him to be afraid on account of his son; nor to suspect the
worst; as he did; for nothing could be done to his son but by the
appointment of God; which must also for certain come to pass;
though he were at home with him; that he ought not to condemn
them to such manifest destruction; nor deprive them of that
plenty of food they might have from Pharaoh; by his unreasonable
fear about his son Benjamin; but ought to take care of the
preservation of Symeon; lest; by attempting to hinder Benjamin's
journey; Symeon should perish。 He exhorted him to trust God for
him; and said he would either bring his son back to him safe; or;
together with his; lose his own life。〃 So that Jacob was at
length persuaded; and delivered Benjamin to them; with the price
of the corn doubled; he also sent presents to Joseph of the
fruits of the land of Canaan; balsam and rosin; as also
turpentine and honey。 (8) Now their father shed many tears at the
departure of his sons; as well as themselves。 His concern was;
that he might receive them back again safe after their journey;
and their concern was; that they might find their father well;
and no way afflicted with grief for them。 And this lamentation
lasted a whole day; so that the old man was at last tired with
grief; and staid behind; but they went on their way for Egypt;
endeavoring to mitigate their grief for their present
misfortunes; with the hopes of better success hereafter。

6。 As soon as they came into Egypt; they were brought down to
Joseph: but here no small fear disturbed them; lest they should
be accused about the price of the corn; as if they had cheated
Joseph。 They then made a long apology to Joseph's steward; and
told him; that when they came home they found the money in their
sacks; and that they had now brought it along with them。 He said
he did not know what they meant: so they were delivered from that
fear。 And when he had loosed Symeon; and put him into a handsome
habit; he suffered him to be with his brethren; at which time
Joseph came from his attendance on the king。 So they offered him
their presents; and upon his putting the question to them about
their father; they answered that they found him well。 He also;
upon his discovery that Benjamin was alive; asked whether this
was their younger brother; for he had seen him。 Whereupon they
said he was: he replied; that the God over all was his protector。
But when his affection to him made him shed tears; he retired;
desiring he might not be seen in that plight by his brethren。
Then Joseph took them to supper; and they were set down in the
same order as they used to sit at their father's table。 And
although Joseph treated them all kindly; yet did he send a mess
to Benjamin that was double to what the rest of the guests had
for their shares。

7。 Now when after supper they had composed themselves to sleep;
Joseph commanded his steward both to give them their measures of
corn; and to hide its price again in their sacks; and that withal
they should put into Benjamin's sack the golden cup; out of which
he loved himself to drink。 … which things he did; in order to
make trial of his brethren; whether they would stand by Benjamin
when he should be accused of having stolen the cup; and should
appear to be in danger; or whether they would leave him; and;
depending on their own innocency; go to their father without him。
When the servant had done as he was bidden; the sons of Jacob;
knowing nothing of all this; went their way; and took Symeon
along with them; and had a double cause of joy; both because they
had received him again; and because they took back Benjamin to
their father; as they had promised。 But presently a troop of
horsemen encompassed them; and brought with them Joseph's
servant; who had put the cup into Benjamin's sack。 Upon which
unexpected attack of the horsemen they were much disturbed; and
asked what the reason was that they came thus upon men; who a
little before had been by their lord thought worthy of an
honorable and hospitable reception? They replied; by calling them
wicked wretches; who had forgot that very hospitable and kind
treatment which Joseph had given them; and did not scruple to be
injurious to him; and to carry off that cup out of which he had;
in so friendly a manner; drank to them; and not regarding their
friendship with Joseph; no more than the danger they should be in
if they were taken; in comparison of the unjust gain。 Hereupon he
threatened that they should be punished; for though they had
escaped the knowledge of him who was but a servant; yet had they
not escaped the knowledge of God; nor had gone off with what they
had stolen; and; after all; asked why we come upon them; as if
they knew nothing of the matter: and he told them that they
should immediately know it by their punishment。 This; and more of
the same nature; did the servant say; in way of reproach to them:
but they being wholly ignorant of any thing here that concerned
them; laughed at what he said; and wondered at the abusive
langu
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