Then when they despaired of him, they retired, conferring privately together. The eldest of them said: Do you not know that your father took from you a covenant in Allah's name, and how you fell short of your duty with respect to Yusuf before? Therefore I will by no means depart from this land until my father permits me or Allah decides for me, and He is the best of the judges: 80 Go back to your father and say: O our father! surely your son committed theft, and we do not bear witness except to what we have known, and we could not keep watch over the unseen: 81 You can ask the people of the town where we were and the caravan we met there. We are certainly telling the truth." 82 "No," said (the father). "You have made up the story; but patience is best; God may bring them back to me. He is all-knowing and all-wise." 83 He turned away from them and cried: "Alas for Joseph!" And his eyes turned white with grief which he bore in silence. 84 "By God," said they, "you will never stop thinking of Joseph till you are consumed or perish." 85 He said: I only bewail my cogitation and grief 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: "Do you know what you did with Yusuf (Joseph) and his brother, when you were ignorant?" 89 They said: "Surely you are not Joseph!" "I am Joseph," he said, "and this is my brother. God has been gracious to us; for God does not verily deprive those who fear Him and are patient of the recompense of those who are good." 90 They said: By Allah! now has Allah certainly chosen you over us, and we were certainly sinners. 91 Said he: "No reproach shall be uttered today against you. May God forgive you your sins: for He is the most merciful of the merciful! 92 Take my shirt and put it on my father's face; his eyesight will be restored; and bring your entire family to me." 93