Bible in Basic English
"And they said to one another, Truly, we did wrong to our brother, for we saw his grief of mind, and we did not give ear to his prayers; that is why this trouble has come on us."
— Genesis 42:21, Bible in Basic English
“They said to one another,“Surely we’re being punished because of our brother, because we saw how distressed he was when he cried to us for mercy, but we refused to listen. That is why this distress has come on us!””
And on the third day Joseph said to them, Do this, if you would keep your lives: for I am a god-fearing man:
If you are true men, let one of you be kept in prison, while you go and take grain for the needs of your families;
And come back to me with your youngest brother, so that your words may be seen to be true, and you will not be put to death. This is what you are to do.
And they said to one another, Truly, we did wrong to our brother, for we saw his grief of mind, and we did not give ear to his prayers; that is why this trouble has come on us.
And Reuben said to them, Did I not say to you, Do the child no wrong? but you gave no attention; so now, punishment has come on us for his blood.
They were not conscious that the sense of their words was clear to Joseph, for he had been talking to them through one who had knowledge of their language.
And turning away from them, he was overcome with weeping; then he went on talking to them again and took Simeon and put chains on him before their eyes.