When they despaired of him, they went in private to confer together. The eldest said: 'Do you not know that your father took a pledge from you in the Name of Allah, and that you failed before regarding Joseph? I shall never stir from this land until my father gives me leave or Allah makes known to me His judgement: He is the Best of judges. 80 Return you all to your father, and say, "Father, thy son stole; we do not testify except that we know; we were no guardians of the Unseen. 81 Enquire of the city wherein we were, and the caravan in which we approached; surely we are truthful men".' 82 He (Yaqoub) said: Nay, your souls have made a matter light for you, so patience is good; maybe Allah will bring them all together to me; surely He is the Knowing, the Wise. 83 He turned away from them and cried: "Alas for Joseph!" And his eyes turned white with grief which he bore in silence. 84 'By God,' they said, 'thou wilt never cease mentioning Joseph till thou art consumed, or among the perishing.' 85 He said: I expose my distress and anguish only unto Allah, and I know from Allah that which ye know not. 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 And when they presented themselves before him they said: 'O mighty prince, we and our people are afflicted with distress. We have brought but little merchandise. Fill up the measure, and be charitable to us; Allah rewards the charitable' 88 , He said: "Do you know what you did to Joseph and his brother in your ignorance?" 89 They said: Is it indeed thou who art Joseph? He said: I am Joseph and this is my brother. Allah hath shown us favour. Lo! he who wardeth off (evil) and endureth (findeth favour); for lo! Allah loseth not the wages of the kindly. 90 They said: By Allah! now has Allah certainly chosen you over us, and we were certainly sinners. 91 He said, "No blame will there be upon you today. Allah will forgive you; and 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