When they had lost all hope of [persuading] him, they withdrew, conferring among themselves. The eldest said, "Do you not know that your father took from you a pledge in God's name. You have already failed with regard to Joseph, so I shall never leave the land until my father permits me to, or God decides [things] for me. He is the best judge! 80 [And as for you others,] return to your father and say: 'O our father! Behold, thy son has stolen - but we [can] bear witness to no more than what has become known to us; and [although we gave you our pledge,] we could not guard against something that [lay hidden in the future and hence,] was beyond the reach of our perception. 81 And inquire those of the city where we have been and of the caravan with whom we have travelled hither; and verily we are truth-tellers. 82 The father heard the narration and said: "(All that is untrue). But your souls have made it easy for you to engage in a heinous act. So, I will be graciously patient even at this. Allah may well bring them all back to me. He is All-Knowing, All-Wise." 83 And he turned away and said: 'Alas for Joseph' His eyes turned white with the grief he repressed within him. 84 They said: by Allah! thou wilt not cease remembering Yusuf until thou art wizened or thou be of the dead. 85 He said "I only complain of my anguish and my sorrow to God. God has made known to me things that you do not know. 86 My sons, go and search for Joseph and his brother and do not despair of receiving comfort from God; only the unbelievers despair of receiving comfort from Him." 87 When his brothers presented themselves before Joseph, they pleaded, "Exalted one, distress has afflicted us and our family and we have brought only a paltry sum; but give us full measure. Be charitable to us. Truly, God rewards the charitable." 88 He said: Know ye what ye did unto Joseph and his brother in your ignorance? 89 They exclaimed: "Why - is it indeed thou who art Joseph?" He answered: "I am Joseph, and this is my brother. God has indeed been gracious unto us. Verily, if one is conscious of Him and patient in adversity behold, God does not fail to requite the doers of good!" 90 They said, "By Allah, certainly has Allah preferred you over us, and indeed, we have been sinners." 91 He said, 'No reproach this day shall be on you; God will forgive you; He is the most merciful of the merciful. 92 "Go with this my shirt, and cast it over the face of my father: he will come to see (clearly). Then come ye (here) to me together with all your family." 93