And so, when they lost all hope of [moving] him, they withdrew to take counsel [among themselves]. The eldest of them said: "Do you not remember that your father has bound you by a solemn pledge before God - and how, before that, you had failed with regard to Joseph? Hence, I shall not depart from this land till my father gives me leave or God passes judgment in my favour: 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 Ask the township where we were, and the caravan with which we travelled hither. Lo! we speak the truth. 82 He said: nay! yourselves have embellished for you an affair; so seemly patience! Belike Allah may bring them all unto me; verily He! only He is the Knowing, the Wise. 83 And he turned away from them and said: Alas, my grief for Joseph! And his eyes were whitened with the sorrow that he was suppressing. 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 only complain of my suffering and my grief to Allah, and I know from Allah that which you do not know. 86 [Hence,] O my sons, go forth and try to obtain some tidings of Joseph and his brother; and do not lose hope of God's life-giving mercy: verily, none but people who deny the truth can ever lose hope of God's life-giving mercy. 87 So when they came in to him, they said: O chief! distress has afflicted us and our family and we have brought scanty money, so give us full measure and be charitable to us; surely Allah rewards the charitable. 88 When Joseph heard this (he could not hold himself and said): "Do you remember what you did to Joseph and his brother when you were ignorant?" 89 They said, "Are you indeed Joseph?" He said "I am Joseph, and this is my brother. Allah has certainly favored us. Indeed, he who fears Allah and is patient, then indeed, Allah does not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good." 90 They said: by Allah! assuredly Allah hath chosen thee above us, and we have been sinners indeed. 91 He replied: "No blame lies with you today. May Allah forgive you. He is the Most Merciful of all those that are 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