When they had lost all hope of [persuading] him, they withdrew, conferring among themselves. The eldest said, "Do you not know that your father took from you a pledge in God's name. You have already failed with regard to Joseph, so I shall never leave the land until my father permits me to, or God decides [things] for me. He is the best judge! 80 Return to your father and say, 'Father, your son has committed a theft. We testify only to what we know. How could we guard against the unforeseen? 81 And ask thou in the town in which we were [at the time,] and of the people of the caravan with whom we travelled hither, and [thou wilt find that] we, are indeed telling the truth!"' 82 'No' he (Jacob) said, 'your souls have tempted you to do something. But come sweet patience. Allah may bring them all to me. He alone is the Knowing, the Wise' 83 And he turned away from them and said: Alas, my grief for Joseph! And his eyes were whitened with the sorrow that he was suppressing. 84 'By God,' they said, 'thou wilt never cease mentioning Joseph till thou art consumed, or among the perishing.' 85 He said: I only complain of my grief and sorrow to Allah, and I know from Allah what you do not know. 86 My sons, go and search for Joseph and his brother and do not despair of receiving comfort from God; only the unbelievers despair of receiving comfort from Him." 87 And when they came (again) before him (Joseph) they said: O ruler! Misfortune hath touched us and our folk, and we bring but poor merchandise, so fill for us the measure and be charitable unto us. Lo! Allah will requite the charitable, 88 He said: Do you know how you treated Yusuf and his brother when you were ignorant? 89 Then they inquired, "Are you Joseph?" He said, "Yes, I am Joseph and this is my brother. God has indeed been gracious to us. One who exercises patience and observes piety should know that God does not ignore the reward of the righteous ones." 90 'By God,' they said, 'God has indeed preferred thee above us, and certainly we have been sinful.' 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 Go with this shirt of mine and lay it on my father's face, he will become (again) a seer; and come to me with all your folk. 93