۞ In the story of Joseph and his brothers, there is evidence (of the truth) for those who seek to know. 7 When they said: Verily Joseph and his brother are dearer to our father than we are, many though we be. Lo! our father is in plain aberration. 8 (One said): Kill Joseph or cast him to some (other) land, so that your father's favour may be all for you, and (that) ye may afterward be righteous folk. 9 Another of them said: "Do not slay Joseph, but - rather - if you must do something - cast him into the dark depths of this well, [whence] some caravan may pick him up." 10 They said, "O our father, why do you not entrust us with Joseph while indeed, we are to him sincere counselors? 11 “Send him with us tomorrow so that he may eat some fruits and play, and indeed we are his protectors.” 12 (Jacob) said: "Really it saddens me that ye should take him away: I fear lest the wolf should devour him while ye attend not to him." 13 They said: "If the wolf were to devour him while we are (so large) a party, then should we indeed (first) have perished ourselves!" 14 So when they had gone off with him and agreed that they should put him down at the bottom of the pit, and We revealed to him: You will most certainly inform them of this their affair while they do not perceive. 15 In the evening they returned to their father weeping 16 And said: "We went racing with one another and left Joseph to guard our things when a wolf devoured him. But you will not believe us even though we tell the truth." 17 And they brought his shirt stained with false blood. He said: "Nay, but your ownselves have made up a tale. So (for me) patience is most fitting. And it is Allah (Alone) Whose help can be sought against that which you assert." 18 Then came travellers, and they sent one of them, a water-drawer, who let down his bucket. 'Good news!' he said. 'Here is a young man.' So they hid him as merchandise; but God knew what they were doing. 19 Then they sold him for a paltry price, a handful of counted dirhams; for they set small store by him. 20