The Egyptian who bought him instructed his wife: "House him honourably. He may be of use to us. We may even adopt him as a son." So, We firmly established Joseph in the land, and taught him the interpretation of dreams. God dominated in his affairs, though most men do not know. 21 When he attained maturity, God gave him strength, wisdom and knowledge. Thus, do We reward those who do good. 22 And she, in whose house he was, asked of him an evil act. She bolted the doors and said: Come! He said: I seek refuge in Allah! Lo! he is my lord, who hath treated me honourably. Lo! wrong-doers never prosper. 23 And indeed the woman desired him; and he too would have desired her were he not to witness the sign of his Lord*; this is what We did, to turn away evil and lewdness from him; indeed He is one of Our chosen bondmen. (* Allah saved him and he never desired this immorality.) 24 They raced to the door and she tore his shirt from behind. And by the door, they met her husband whereupon she said: 'What is the recompense of one whose intent is evil against your people other than being imprisoned, or sternly punished' 25 (Joseph) said: "It was she who wanted to seduce me." And a witness from her family testified: "If the shirt is torn from the front then the woman is speaking the truth, and he is a liar. 26 "But if it be that his shirt is torn from the back, then is she the liar, and he is telling the truth!" 27 When he saw his shirt was torn from behind he said, 'This is of your women's guile; surely your guile is great. 28 Joseph, overlook this: but you [wife], ask forgiveness for your sin, for you have done wrong." 29