When they had lost all hope of [persuading] him, they withdrew, conferring among themselves. The eldest said, "Do you not know that your father took from you a pledge in God's name. You have already failed with regard to Joseph, so I shall never leave the land until my father permits me to, or God decides [things] for me. He is the best judge! 80 Return to your father and say, "O our father, indeed your son has stolen, and we did not testify except to what we knew. And we were not witnesses of the unseen, 81 Ask the village where we were and the caravan in which we traveled, we speak the truth' 82 [AND WHEN they returned to their father and told him what had happened,] he exclaimed: "Nay, but it is your [own] minds that have made [so terrible] a happening seem a matter of little account to you! But [as for myself,] patience in adversity is most goodly; God may well bring them all [back] unto me: verily, He alone is all-knowing, truly wise!" 83 But he turned away from them and said: "O woe is me for Joseph!" - and his eyes became dim from the grief with which he was filled. 84 They said, "You are always remembering Joseph. By God, it will either make you sick or you will die". 85 He said: I expose my distress and anguish only unto Allah, and I know from Allah that which ye know not. 86 [Hence,] O my sons, go forth and try to obtain some tidings of Joseph and his brother; and do not lose hope of God's life-giving mercy: verily, none but people who deny the truth can ever lose hope of God's life-giving 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 He said, "Are you aware of what you did to Joseph and his brother in ignorance?" 89 They exclaimed: "Are you indeed Joseph?" He said: "Yes, I am Joseph and this is my brother. Allah has surely been gracious to us. Indeed whoever fears Allah and remains patient, Allah does not allow the reward of such people to go to waste." 90 [The brothers] said, "By God! Most certainly God has raised you high above us, and we have indeed been guilty!" 91 "There is no blame on you today," he said, "May God forgive you. He is the most merciful of all. 92 Go, take this shirt of mine and cast it over my father's face, he will recover his sight. Then return to me with all your family' 93