And the king said: bring him unto me. Then, when the messenger came to him, he said: return to thy lord, and ask him, what about the women who cut their hands? verily my Lord is the Knower of their guile. 50 The king asked the women: "What was the affair of seducing Joseph?" "God preserve us," they said; "we know no evil against him." The wife of the minister said: "The truth has now come out. It was I who desired to seduce him, but he is indeed a man of virtue." -- 51 "From this," said Joseph, "[The nobleman] should know that I did not betray him in his absence, and that God does not guide the plotting of the treacherous. 52 ۞ I do not seek to acquit myself; for surely one's self prompts one to evil except him to whom my Lord may show mercy. Verily my Lord is Ever Forgiving, Most Merciful." 53 And the king said: bring him unto me I will single him out for myself. Then when he spake unto him, he said: verily thou art today with us placed high, intrusted. 54 Joseph said, "Place in my charge the storehouses of the land; for I am a good and knowledgeable custodian." 55 Thus We caused Joseph to be established in a position of authority in the land. He could dwell therein wherever he pleased. We bestow Our mercy on whomever We please, and We do not allow the reward of the righteous to go to waste. 56 And undoubtedly the reward of the Hereafter is better, for those who accept faith and remain pious. 57