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 You can ask the people of the town where we were and the caravan we met there. We are certainly telling the truth." 82 Jacob said: "Nay, but ye have yourselves contrived a story (good enough) for you. So patience is most fitting (for me). Maybe Allah will bring them (back) all to me (in the end). For He is indeed full of knowledge and wisdom." 83 And he turned away from them, crying, "Alas for Joseph!" His eyes went white with grief, and he was filled with sorrow. 84 They said: "By Allah! You will never cease remembering Yusuf (Joseph) until you become weak with old age, or until you be of the dead." 85 He said: "I will address my sorrow and grief only to Allah, and I know from Allah what you do not know. 86 Go, my sons, and seek news of Joseph and his brother. Do not despair of God's mercy; none but those who deny the truth despair of God's mercy." 87 Then, when they came (back) into (Joseph's) presence they said: "O exalted one! distress has seized us and our family: we have (now) brought but scanty capital: so pay us full measure, (we pray thee), and treat it as charity to us: for Allah doth reward the charitable." 88 Replied he: "Do you remember what you did to Joseph and his brother when you were still unaware [of right and wrong]?" 89 Then they inquired, "Are you Joseph?" He said, "Yes, I am Joseph and this is my brother. God has indeed been gracious to us. One who exercises patience and observes piety should know that God does not ignore the reward of the righteous ones." 90 They said: by Allah! assuredly Allah hath chosen thee above us, and we have been sinners indeed. 91 (Joseph) said, "No one will blame you on this day. God will forgive you; He is more Merciful than others. 92 "Go with this shirt of mine, and cast it over the face of my father, he will become clear-sighted, and bring to me all your family." 93