When they despaired of (persuading) him, they went aside to confer. The oldest of them said: "You know that your father has pledged you in the name of God, and you have been guilty of iniquity in the case of Joseph before. I will not leave this place unless my father permits or God decides for me, for He is the best of all judges. 80 Return unto your father, and say: our father! verily thy son hath stolen, and we testify not save according to that which we know; and of the unseen we could not be guards. 81 You can ask the people of the town where we were and the caravan we met there. We are certainly telling the truth." 82 [Jacob] said, "Rather, your souls have enticed you to something, so patience is most fitting. Perhaps Allah will bring them to me all together. Indeed it is He who is the Knowing, the Wise." 83 And he turned away from them and said, "Oh, my sorrow over Joseph," and his eyes became white from grief, for he was [of that] a suppressor. 84 They said: 'By Allah, will you not cease to mention Joseph until you are consumed, or are 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 [Hence,] O my sons, go forth and try to obtain some tidings of Joseph and his brother; and do not lose hope of God's life-giving mercy: verily, none but people who deny the truth can ever lose hope of God's life-giving mercy. 87 When they returned to him, they said (to Joseph): "O Minister, calamity has befallen us and our people. We have brought but a meagre sum, but give us full measure as alms bestowed. God surely rewards those who give alms." 88 Replied he: "Do you remember what you did to Joseph and his brother when you were still unaware [of right and wrong]?" 89 They said: "Surely you are not Joseph!" "I am Joseph," he said, "and this is my brother. God has been gracious to us; for God does not verily deprive those who fear Him and are patient of the recompense of those who are good." 90 They said, "We swear by God that He has given preference to you over us and we have sinned". 91 He said: "No reproach on you this day, may Allah forgive you, and He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy! 92 [And now] go and take this tunic of mine and lay it over my father's face, and he will recover his sight. And thereupon come [back] to me with all your family." 93