۞ (In Joseph and his brethren were signs for those who ask questions.) 7 They said: "Truly Joseph and his brother are loved more by our father than we: But we are a goodly body! really our father is obviously wandering (in his mind)! 8 Kill Joseph or cast him out to [another] land; the countenance of your father will [then] be only for you, and you will be after that a righteous people." 9 One of them said, 'No, kill not Joseph, but cast him into the bottom of the pit and some traveller will pick him out, if you do aught.' 10 (Then going to their father) they said: "O father, why don't you trust us with Joseph? We are in fact his well-wishers. 11 Send him with us tomorrow that he may enjoy himself and sport, and surely we will guard him well. 12 He said, 'It grieves me that you should go with him, and I fear the wolf may eat him, while you are heedless of him.' 13 They said, "If some wild-beast would be able to harm him, despite the presence of our strong group, it would certainly be a great loss to us!" 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 at nightfall they came to their father, weeping. 16 They said: O our father! surely we went off racing and left Yusuf by our goods, so the wolf devoured him, and you will not believe us though we are truthful. 17 And they showed him their brother's shirt, stained with false blood. "No!" he cried. "Your souls have tempted you to do something evil! But it is best to be patient: God alone can help me bear the loss you speak of." 18 Thereafter travelers came, and sent their waterman. And when he had let down his pail, (he cried:) 'Rejoice, a boy' Then they concealed him among their merchandise, but Allah knew what they did. 19 Then they sold him for a paltry price, a handful of counted dirhams; for they set small store by him. 20