Leeser(i)
20 And now, come and let us slay him, and cast him into one of the pits, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.
21 And when Reuben heard it, he delivered him out of their hand; and he said, Let us not put him to death.
22 And Reuben said unto them, Do not shed blood; but cast him into this pit that is in the wilderness, but do not lay hand upon him;—in order that he might deliver him out of their hand, to bring him back again to his father.
23 And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brothers, that they stript Joseph of his coat, the coat of many colors that was on him;
24 And they took him, and cast him into the pit; and the pit was empty; there was no water in it.
25 And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmaelites was coming from Gilead; and their camels were bearing spicery, and balm, and lotus, going to carry it down to Egypt.
26 And Judah said unto his brothers, What profit will it be if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood?
27 Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, but let our hand not be upon him; for he is our brother, our flesh. And his brothers hearkened to him.
28 And when the Midianitish men, merchants, passed by, they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.
29 And when Reuben returned unto the pit, and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit, he rent his clothes.
30 And he returned unto his brothers, and said, The child is not there; and I, whither shall I go?
31 And they took Joseph’s coat, and killed a he-goat, and dipped the coat in the blood;
32 And they sent the coat of many colors, and they brought it to their father, and said, This have we found: acknowledge, we pray thee, whether it be thy son’s coat or not.
33 And he recognized it, and said, it is my son’s coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is surely torn in pieces.
34 And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.
35 And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I must go down unto my son, mourning, into the grave; thus his father wept for him.