When they despaired of (persuading) him, they went aside to confer. The oldest of them said: "You know that your father has pledged you in the name of God, and you have been guilty of iniquity in the case of Joseph before. I will not leave this place unless my father permits or God decides for me, for He is the best of all judges. 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 You can ask the people of the town where we were and the caravan we met there. We are certainly telling the truth." 82 He (Yaqoub) said: Nay, your souls have made a matter light for you, so patience is good; maybe Allah will bring them all together to me; surely He is the Knowing, the Wise. 83 And he turned away from them, and said: O my grief for Yusuf! and his eyes whitened with grief, while he was filled with suppressed sorrow. 84 Said [his sons]: "By God! Thou wilt never cease to remember Joseph, till thou art broken in body and spirit or art dead!" 85 He said: "I will address my sorrow and grief only to Allah, and I know from Allah what you do not know. 86 O My sons! go and ascertain about Yusuf and his brother, and despair not of the comfort of Allah; verily none despair of the comfort of Allah except a people disbelieving. 87 When they returned to him, they said (to Joseph): "O Minister, calamity has befallen us and our people. We have brought but a meagre sum, but give us full measure as alms bestowed. God surely rewards those who give alms." 88 He said: Know ye what ye did unto Joseph and his brother in your ignorance? 89 They said: art thou Yusuf indeed! He said: I am Yusuf and this is my brother; Allah hath surely been gracious unto us; verily whosoever feareth and endureth, then verily Allah wasteth not the hire of the well-doers. 90 They said: By Allah, verily Allah hath preferred thee above us, and we were indeed sinful. 91 He said; no reproach upon you today. May Allah forgive you; and He is the Most Merciful of the merciful. 92 Take my shirt and place it unto my father's face. This will restore his eye-sight. Then bring the whole family to me." 93