۞ Verily in the story of Joseph and his brothers there are many signs for those who inquire (about the truth). 7 When they said, "Joseph and his brother are more beloved to our father than we, while we are a clan. Indeed, our father is in clear error. 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 Another of them said: "Do not slay Joseph, but - rather - if you must do something - cast him into the dark depths of this well, [whence] some caravan may pick him up." 10 After so deciding they said to their father: "Why is it that you do not trust us regarding Joseph although we are his true well-wishers?" 11 Send him with us tomorrow that he may enjoy himself and play. And lo! we shall take good care of 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 They said: "Should a wolf eat him, despite the presence of our strong group, we would indeed be a worthless lot!" 14 So when they had gone off with him and agreed that they should put him down at the bottom of the pit, and We revealed to him: You will most certainly inform them of this their affair while they do not perceive. 15 And they came to their father at nightfall, weeping. 16 And said: "We went racing with one another and left Joseph to guard our things when a wolf devoured him. But you will not believe us even though we tell the truth." 17 And they brought his shirt with false blood. He said: nay! yourselves have embellished for you an affair; so seemly patience! and Allah is to be implored for help in that which ye ascribe 18 And a caravan came, and they sent their water-drawer, and he let down his bucket. He said: glad tidings! here is a youth. And they hid him as merchandise. And Allah was the Knower of that which they worked. 19 And they sold him for a mean price: a few dirhams numbered and they were in regard to him of the indifferent. 20