۞ Verily in Joseph and his brethren are signs (or symbols) for seekers (after Truth). 7 When they said, "Joseph and his brother are more beloved to our father than we, while we are a clan. Indeed, our father is in clear error. 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: "If you must do so, then do not kill Joseph, but throw him into an unused well. Some passing caravan may rescue him." 10 Then they asked their father, "Why do you not trust us with Joseph? We are his 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 He said: Surely it grieves me that you should take him off, and I fear lest the wolf devour him while you are heedless of him. 13 They said: "Should a wolf eat him, despite the presence of our strong group, we would indeed be a worthless lot!" 14 When they took Joseph with them, they agreed to throw him into the well. We revealed to Joseph that (sometime) in the future at a time when they would not recognize him, he would remind them of all this. 15 And they came to their father at nightfall, weeping. 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 And there came a caravan of travellers and they sent their water-drawer to draw water from the well. He let down his bucket into the well and he exclaimed, "Oh, what a lucky find, here is a boy!" They hid him like a piece of merchandise, but God knew well what they did. 19 And the brothers sold him for an improper price, a limited number of coins; and they had no interest in him. 20