۞ (In Joseph and his brethren were signs for those who ask questions.) 7 When they said: Verily Joseph and his brother are dearer to our father than we are, many though we be. Lo! our father is in plain aberration. 8 So either kill Joseph or cast him into some distant land so that your father's attention may become exclusively yours. And after so doing become righteous." 9 One of them said: 'No, do not kill Joseph, if you do anything, cast him into a dark pit, a traveler will pick him up' 10 They said: O our father! what reason have you that you do not trust in us with respect to Yusuf? And most surely we are his sincere well-wishers: 11 Send him out with us tomorrow that he may enjoy himself and play while we will be there, standing guard over him." 12 [Jacob] said, "It would indeed grieve me if you took him away with you, and I fear lest the wolf should devour him while you are off your guard." 13 They said: If the wolf should devour him when we are (so strong) a band, then surely we should have already perished. 14 And so, when they went away with him, they decided to cast him into the dark depths of a well. Then We revealed to him Our will, "You shall [one day] tell them of this deed of theirs, when they do not realize who you are." 15 And they came weeping to their father in the evening. 16 And said: "We went racing with one another and left Joseph to guard our things when a wolf devoured him. But you will not believe us even though we tell the truth." 17 They presented him with a shirt stained with false blood. Jacob said, "Your souls have tempted you in this matter. Let us be patient and beg assistance from God if what you say is true." 18 Thereafter travelers came, and sent their waterman. And when he had let down his pail, (he cried:) 'Rejoice, a boy' Then they concealed him among their merchandise, but Allah knew what they did. 19 Then, they sold him for a trifling price, a number of dirhams, because they considered him to be of little value. 20