Then when they despaired of him they counselled together privately. The eldest of them said: know ye not that your father hath taken an assurance from you before Allah? and aforetime ye have been remiss in your duty in respect of Yusuf; I so will by no means go forth from the land until my father giveth me leave or Allah judgeth for me, and He is the Best of judges. 80 [And as for you others,] return to your father and say: 'O our father! Behold, thy son has stolen - but we [can] bear witness to no more than what has become known to us; and [although we gave you our pledge,] we could not guard against something that [lay hidden in the future and hence,] was beyond the reach of our perception. 81 And inquire those of the city where we have been and of the caravan with whom we have travelled hither; and verily we are truth-tellers. 82 "No," said (the father). "You have made up the story; but patience is best; God may bring them back to me. He is all-knowing and all-wise." 83 And he turned away from them, and said, 'Ah, woe is me for Joseph!' And his eyes turned white because of the sorrow that he choked within him. 84 'By God,' they said, 'thou wilt never cease mentioning Joseph till thou art consumed, or among the perishing.' 85 He replied: 'I complain to Allah of my anguish and sadness. I know from Allah what you do not know. 86 My sons! Go and try to find out about Joseph and his brother and do not despair of Allah's mercy. Verily only the unbelievers despair of Allah's mercy." 87 When they entered Joseph's court, they said, "Noble Prince, hardship has struck us and our people. We have come with a little money, so give us a measure of grain and be charitable to us. God will give the reward to those who give charity". 88 'Do you know' he replied, 'what you did to Joseph and his brother in your ignorance' 89 They said: art thou Yusuf indeed! He said: I am Yusuf and this is my brother; Allah hath surely been gracious unto us; verily whosoever feareth and endureth, then verily Allah wasteth not the hire of the well-doers. 90 They said, "We swear by God that He has given preference to you over us and we have sinned". 91 He said: "No reproach on you this day, may Allah forgive you, and He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy! 92 Take this, my shirt, and cast it over the face of my father; he will become seeing. And bring me your family, all together." 93