۞ (In Joseph and his brethren were signs for those who ask questions.) 7 And call to mind when the brothers of Joseph conferred together and said: "Surely Joseph and his brother are dearer to our father than we are, although we are a group of so many. Our father is clearly mistaken. 8 [Said one of them:] "Slay Joseph, or else drive him away to some [faraway] land, so that your father's regard may be for you alone: and after this is done, you will be [free to repent and to live once again as] righteous people!" 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 (Then going to their father) they said: "O father, why don't you trust us with Joseph? We are in fact his well-wishers. 11 "Send him with us tomorrow to enjoy himself and play, and verily, we will take care of him." 12 [Jacob] said, "Indeed, it saddens me that you should take him, and I fear that a wolf would eat him while you are of him unaware." 13 They said: "If the wolf were to devour him while we are (so large) a party, then should we indeed (first) have perished ourselves!" 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 At nightfall they came to their father weeping, 16 They said: 'We went racing and left Joseph with our things. The wolf devoured him, but you will not believe us, though we speak the truth' 17 And they brought upon his shirt false blood. [Jacob] said, "Rather, your souls have enticed you to something, so patience is most fitting. And Allah is the one sought for help against that which you describe." 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 The (Brethren) sold him for a miserable price, for a few dirhams counted out: in such low estimation did they hold him! 20