۞ Verily in Joseph and his brethren are signs (or symbols) for seekers (after Truth). 7 When they said, 'Surely Joseph and his brother are dearer to our father than we, though we are a band. Surely our father is in manifest error. 8 "Kill Yusuf (Joseph) or cast him out to some (other) land, so that the favour of your father may be given to you alone, and after that you will be righteous folk (by intending repentance before committing the sin)." 9 One of them said, "Do not kill Joseph, but if you must do something, cast him into the bottom of a well; some of the travellers will pick him up." 10 They said: our father! wherefore thou intrustest us not with Yusuf, whereas verily we are his well-wishers. 11 Send him with us tomorrow, that he may refresh himself and play, and verily we are to be his guards. 12 He said: 'It grieves me to let him go with you, for I fear lest the wolf should devour him when you are not paying attention to him' 13 They said: "If a wolf devours him, while we are 'Usbah (a strong group) (to guard him), then surely, we are the losers." 14 And so, when they went away with him, they decided to cast him into the dark depths of a well. Then We revealed to him Our will, "You shall [one day] tell them of this deed of theirs, when they do not realize who you are." 15 And they came to their father in the evening, and they were weeping. 16 Saying, “O our father! We went far ahead while racing, and left Yusuf near our resources – therefore the wolf devoured him; and you will not believe us although we may be truthful.” 17 They showed him the shirt with false blood on it. (Their father) said: "It is not so; you have made up the story. Yet endurance is best. I seek the help of God alone for what you impute." 18 And there came travellers and they sent their water-drawer and he let down his bucket. He said: O good news! this is a youth; and they concealed him as an article of merchandise, and Allah knew what they did. 19 And they sold him as worthless for a few paltry dirham. 20