unfoldingWord_en_tn/gen/42/21.md

# in that we saw the distress of his soul

The word "soul" stands for Joseph. AT: "because we saw how distressed Joseph was" or "because we saw that Joseph was suffering" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])

# Therefore this distress has come upon us

The abstract noun "distress" can be stated as the verb "suffering." AT: "That is why we are suffering like this now" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])

# Did I not tell you, 'Do not sin against the boy,' but you would not listen?

Reuben uses a question to scold his brothers. AT: "I told you not to hurt the boy, but you would not listen!" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

# Did I not tell you, 'Do not sin against the boy,'

This has a quotation within a quotation. It can be stated as an indirect quotation. AT: "Did I not tell you not to sin against the boy," or "I told you not to harm the boy," (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])

# Now, see

Here "Now" does not mean "at this moment," but both "Now" and "see" are used to draw attention to the important point that follows.

# his blood is required of us

Here "blood" stands for Joseph's death. His brothers thought Joseph was dead. The phrase "is required of us" means they must be punished for what they did. AT: "we are getting what we deserve for his death" or "we are suffering for having killed him" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

# translationWords

* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/guilt]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/soul]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/names/reuben]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/sin]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/blood]]