۞ Assuredly in Yusuf and his brethren there have been signs for the inquirers. 7 They said: 'Joseph and his brother are dearer to our father than ourselves, even though we are many. Truly, our father is obviously wrong. 8 "Slay ye Joseph or cast him out to some (unknown) land, that so the favour of your father may be given to you alone: (there will be time enough) for you to be righteous after that!" 9 One of them said: "If you must do so, then do not kill Joseph, but throw him into an unused well. Some passing caravan may rescue him." 10 They said: our father! wherefore thou intrustest us not with Yusuf, whereas verily we are his well-wishers. 11 Send him with us tomorrow, that he may refresh himself and play, and verily we are to be his guards. 12 Jacob replied, "I shall be grieved if you take him with you; I fear that some wild-beast will harm him in your absence." 13 They said, "Surely, if the wolf devoured him while we were a strong party, we should indeed be great losers." 14 So when they took him away, and resolved to place him in the bottom of the well, We revealed unto him: surely thou wilt declare unto them this their affair, while they shall perceive not. 15 At nightfall, they returned weeping to their father. 16 They said, 'Father, we went running races, and left Joseph behind with our things; so the wolf ate him. But thou wouldst never believe us, though we spoke truly.' 17 And they came with false blood on his shirt. He said: Nay, but your minds have beguiled you into something. (My course is) comely patience. And Allah it is Whose help is to be sought in that (predicament) which ye describe. 18 Then came travellers, and they sent one of them, a water-drawer, who let down his bucket. 'Good news!' he said. 'Here is a young man.' So they hid him as merchandise; but God knew what they were doing. 19 And they sold him for a small price, a few pieces of silver, and they showed no desire for him. 20