Genesis — Chapter 44

AND JUDAH SAID: WHAT SHALL WE ANSWER TO MY LORD? OR WHAT SHALL WE SAY, OR BE ABLE TO ANSWER? GOD HATH FOUND OUT THE INIQUITY OF THY SERVANTS. — Judah's great confession: \"God has found out the iniquity of thy servants.\" Not primarily the iniquity of the planted silver cup, but (by divine grace working in their consciences) the iniquity of selling Joseph twenty years before. Lapide: this is the moment when the brothers' repentance becomes explicit and complete. The suffering they now endure is seen as providential punishment and purification for their past sin.