۞ (In Joseph and his brethren were signs for those who ask questions.) 7 They said: "Truly Joseph and his brother are loved more by our father than we: But we are a goodly body! really our father is obviously wandering (in his mind)! 8 Therefore, let us put Joseph to death or cast him away to some [far-off] land, so that our father's attention should turn only to us, and you can thereafter become a righteous people." 9 One among them said: Kill not Joseph but, if ye must be doing, fling him into the depth of the pit; some caravan will find him. 10 After so deciding they said to their father: "Why is it that you do not trust us regarding Joseph although we are his true well-wishers?" 11 Let him go out with us tomorrow, that he may enjoy himself and play: and verily, we shall guard him well!" 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, "If some wild-beast would be able to harm him, despite the presence of our strong group, it would certainly be a great loss to us!" 14 So when they went away with Joseph and decided to cast him in the bottom of the dark pit, We revealed to Joseph: "Surely a time will come when you will remind them of their deed. They know nothing about the consequence of what they are doing." 15 At nightfall they came to their father weeping, 16 They said, "Father, we went off racing and left Joseph with our belongings, and the wolf devoured him. But you will not believe us, even though we are telling the truth." 17 and they produced his tunic with false blood upon it. [But Jacob] exclaimed: "Nay, but it is your [own] minds that have made [so terrible] a happening seem a matter of little account to you! But [as for myself,] patience in adversity is most goodly [in the sight of God]; and it is to God [alone] that I pray to give me strength to bear the misfortune which you have described to me." 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