The Egyptian who bought him instructed his wife: "House him honourably. He may be of use to us. We may even adopt him as a son." So, We firmly established Joseph in the land, and taught him the interpretation of dreams. God dominated in his affairs, though most men do not know. 21 And when he reached full manhood, We bestowed upon him the ability to judge [between right and wrong,] as well as [innate] knowledge: for thus do We reward the doers of good. 22 And it so happened that the lady in whose house Joseph was living, sought to tempt him to herself, and one day bolting the doors she said: "Come on now!" Joseph answered: "May Allah grant me refuge! My Lord has provided an honourable abode for me (so how can I do something so evil)? Such wrong-doers never prosper." 23 For she desired him; and he would have taken her, but that he saw the proof of his Lord. So was it, that We might turn away from him evil and abomination; he was one of Our devoted servants. 24 So they both raced each other to the door, and she tore his shirt from the back: they both found her lord near the door. She said: "What is the (fitting) punishment for one who formed an evil design against thy wife, but prison or a grievous chastisement?" 25 He said: "It was she that sought to seduce me - from my (true) self." And one of her household saw (this) and bore witness, (thus):- "If it be that his shirt is rent from the front, then is her tale true, and he is a liar! 26 "But if it be that his shirt is torn from the back, then she has told a lie and he is speaking the truth!" 27 So when he saw his shirt torn from behind [her husband] said, "This is the guile of you women. Your guile is great indeed. 28 [But,] Joseph, let this pass! And thou, [O wife,] ask forgiveness for thy sin - for, verily, thou hast been greatly at fault!" 29