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[95]
Now Jacob also, when he understood that foreigners might come, sent
all his sons into Egypt to buy corn, for the land of Canaan was grievously
afflicted with the famine; and this great misery touched the whole continent.
He only retained Benjamin, who was born to him by Rachel, and was of the
same mother with Joseph. These sons of Jacob then came into Egypt, and
applied themselves to Joseph, wanting to buy corn; for nothing of this
kind was done without his approbation, since even then only was the honor
that was paid the king himself advantageous to the persons that paid it,
when they took care to honor Joseph also. Now when he well knew his brethren,
they thought nothing of him; for he was but a youth when he left them,
and was now come to an age so much greater, that the lineaments of his
face were changed, and he was not known by them: besides this, the greatness
of the dignity wherein he appeared, suffered them not so much as to suspect
it was he. He now made trial what sentiments they had about affairs of
the greatest consequence; for he refused to sell them corn, and said they
were come as spies of the king's affairs; and that they came from several
countries, and joined themselves together, and pretended that they were
of kin, it not being possible that a private man should breed up
so many sons, and those of so great beauty of countenance as they were,
such an education of so many children being not easily obtained by kings
themselves. Now this he did in order to discover what concerned his father,
and what happened to him after his own departure from him, and as desiring
to know what was become of Benjamin his brother; for he was afraid that
they had ventured on the like wicked enterprise against him that they had
done to himself, and had taken him off also.
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