۞ Verily in Joseph and his brethren are signs (of Allah's Sovereignty) for the inquiring. 7 "Surely Joseph and his brother are dearer to our father than we," (said his half brothers) "even though we are a well-knit band. Our father is surely in the wrong. 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, do not kill Joseph, if you do anything, cast him into a dark pit, a traveler will pick him up' 10 Then they asked their father, "Why do you not trust us with Joseph? We are his well-wishers. 11 Send him with us tomorrow to play with us and enjoy himself. We shall carefully protect him". 12 He said: Lo! in truth it saddens me that ye should take him with you, and I fear less the wolf devour him while ye are heedless of him. 13 Said they: "Surely, if the wolf were to devour him notwithstanding that we are so many - then, behold, we ought ourselves to perish!" 14 When they went with him, they agreed to put him in the bottom of a well. We revealed to him: 'You shall tell them of what they did when they are not aware (it is you)' 15 And at nightfall they came to their father, 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 And they brought Joseph's shirt, stained with false blood. Seeing this their father exclaimed: "Nay (this is not true); rather your evil souls have made it easy for you to commit a heinous act. So I will bear this patiently, and in good grace. It is Allah's help alone that I seek against your fabrication." 18 And there came a caravan of travellers; they sent their water-drawer, and he let down his bucket (into the well). He said: "What good news! Here is a boy." So they hid him as merchandise (a slave). And Allah was the All-Knower of what they did. 19 Later they sold him for a paltry sum, a few pieces of silver [dirhams]: So little did they value him. 20