۞ Assuredly in Yusuf and his brethren there have been signs for the inquirers. 7 When they said: "Truly, Yusuf (Joseph) and his brother (Benjamin) are loved more by our father than we, but we are 'Usbah (a strong group). Really, our father is in a plain error. 8 [Said one of them:] "Slay Joseph, or else drive him away to some [faraway] land, so that your father's regard may be for you alone: and after this is done, you will be [free to repent and to live once again as] righteous people!" 9 Said a speaker among them, "Do not kill Joseph but throw him into the bottom of the well; some travelers will pick him up - if you would do [something]." 10 They said, “O our father! What is the matter with you that you do not trust us with Yusuf, although we are in fact his well-wishers?” 11 Send him with us tomorrow to play with us and enjoy himself. We shall carefully protect him". 12 He said: "I am afraid of sending him with you lest a wolf should devour him when you are unmindful." 13 They replied: "If a wolf should devour him when we are there, a well-knit band, we shall certainly be treacherous." 14 So when they went away with Joseph and decided to cast him in the bottom of the dark pit, We revealed to Joseph: "Surely a time will come when you will remind them of their deed. They know nothing about the consequence of what they are doing." 15 And they came to their father at nightfall, 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 They stained his shirt with false blood. He said: "Nay, but your minds have made up a tale (that may pass) with you, (for me) patience is most fitting: Against that which ye assert, it is Allah (alone) Whose help can be sought".. 18 AND THERE CAME a caravan; and they sent forth their drawer of water, and he let down his bucket into the well - [and when he saw Joseph] he exclaimed: "Oh, what a lucky find, this boy!" And they hid him with a view to selling him: but God had full knowledge of all that they were doing. 19 In selling him they asked for a very small price and even then no one wanted to buy him. 20