29. Reuben was not with his brothers when they sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites. When Reuben came back to the well, Joseph was not there. Reuben tore his clothes to show he was sad.
30. Then he went back to his brothers and said, “The boy is not there! What will I do?”
31. The brothers killed a goat and dipped Joseph’s long-sleeved robe in its blood.
32. Then they brought the robe to their father. They said, “We found this robe. Look it over carefully. See if it is your son’s robe.”
33. Jacob looked it over and said, “It is my son’s robe! Some savage animal has eaten him. My son Joseph has been torn to pieces!”
34. Then Jacob tore his clothes and put on rough cloth to show that he was sad. He continued to be sad about his son for a long time.