²⁸ So when the Midianite^(A) merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern^(B) and sold^(C) him for twenty shekels^[a] of silver^(D) to the Ishmaelites,^(E) who took him to Egypt.^(F)

²⁹ When Reuben returned to the cistern and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes.^{(G) 30} He went back to his brothers and said, “The boy isn’t there! Where can I turn now?”^(H)

³¹ Then they got Joseph’s robe,^(I) slaughtered a goat and dipped the robe in the blood.^{(J) 32} They took the ornate robe^(K) back to their father and said, “We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son’s robe.”

³³ He recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe! Some ferocious animal^(L) has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces.”^(M)

³⁴ Then Jacob tore his clothes,^(N) put on sackcloth^(O) and mourned for his son many days.^{(P) 35} All his sons and daughters came to comfort him,^(Q) but he refused to be comforted.^(R) “No,” he said, “I will continue to mourn until I join my son^(S) in the grave.^(T)” So his father wept for him.

³⁶ Meanwhile, the Midianites^[b](U) sold Joseph^(V) in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard.^(W)

⁵ And now, do not be distressed^(A) and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here,^(B) because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.^(C)

⁹ “Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph,^(A) they sold him as a slave into Egypt.^(B) But God was with him^(C)