Testament of Joseph 15

¹Now after four and twenty days came the Ishmaelites; for they had heard that Jacob my father was mourning much concerning me. ²And they came and said unto me: How is it that thou saidst that thou wast a slave? and lo, we have learnt that thou art the son of a mighty man in the land of Canaan, and thy father still mourneth for thee in sackcloth and ashes. ³When I heard this my bowels were dissolved and my heart melted, and I desired greatly to weep, but I restrained myself, that I should not put my brethren to shame. And I said unto them, I know not, I am a slave. ⁴Then, therefore, they took counsel to sell me, that I should not be found in their hands. ⁵For they feared my father, lest he [should come and] execute upon them a grievous vengeance. For they had heard that he was mighty with God and with men. ⁶Then said the merchant unto them: Release me from the judgement of Pentiphri. ⁷And they came and requested me, saying: Say that thou wast bought by us with money, and he will set us free.