۞ Indeed, in Joseph and his brothers there were signs for those who inquire. 7 NOW [Joseph's brothers] spoke [thus to one another:] "Truly, Joseph and his brother [Benjamin] are dearer to our father than we, even though we are so many. Behold, our father is surely suffering from an aberration!" 8 (One said): Kill Joseph or cast him to some (other) land, so that your father's favour may be all for you, and (that) ye may afterward be righteous folk. 9 A speaker among them said, “Do not kill Yusuf – and drop him into a dark well so that some traveller may come and take him away, if you have to.” 10 Then they asked their father, "Why do you not trust us with Joseph? We are his well-wishers. 11 Send him forth with us tomorrow, to frolic and play; surely we shall be watching over him.' 12 He said, “I will indeed be saddened by your taking him away, and I fear that the wolf may devour him, whilst you are unaware of him.” (* Prophet Yaqub knew of what was about to happen.) 13 They said: Surely if the wolf should devour him notwithstanding that we are a (strong) company, we should then certainly be losers. 14 So, when they took him away, they all agreed to throw him down to the bottom of the well, and We inspired in him:"Indeed, you shall (one day) inform them of this their affair, when they know (you) not." 15 At nightfall they came to their father weeping 16 They said, "Father, we went off racing and left Joseph with our belongings, and the wolf devoured him. But you will not believe us, even though we are telling 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 there came a caravan – so they sent their water-drawer, he therefore lowered his pail; he said, “What good luck, this is a boy!”; and they hid him as a treasure; and Allah knows what they do. 19 Later they sold him for a paltry sum - just a few dirhams; they did not care to obtain a higher price. 20