۞ Verily in Joseph and his brethren are signs (of Allah's Sovereignty) for the inquiring. 7 They said: 'Joseph and his brother are dearer to our father than ourselves, even though we are many. Truly, our father is obviously wrong. 8 Let us kill Joseph or cast him in some distant land so that we may get our father's exclusive affection; then play innocent." 9 One of them said, "Do not kill Joseph, but if you must, throw him into a dark well so that perhaps some caravan will take him away." 10 Then they asked their father, "Why do you not trust us with Joseph? We are his well-wishers. 11 Let him go out with us tomorrow that he may enjoy and play. We shall take care of him." 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 devoured him while we were a company, we must indeed then be the losers! 14 Then, when they led him off, and were of one mind that they should place him in the depth of the pit, We inspired in him: Thou wilt tell them of this deed of theirs when they know (thee) not. 15 And at nightfall they came to their father, weeping, 16 and said: "Father! We went racing with one another and left Joseph behind with our things, and then a wolf came and ate him up. We know that you will not believe us howsoever truthful we might be." 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 A caravan happened to pass, and sent the water-carrier to bring water from the well. He let down his bucket (and pulled Joseph up with it). "What luck," said the man; "here is a boy;" and they hid him as an item of merchandise; but what they did was known to God. 19 And they sold him for a small price, a few pieces of silver, and they showed no desire for him. 20