When they despaired of moving him, they conferred privily apart. Said the eldest of them, 'Do you not know how your father has taken a solemn pledge from you by God, and aforetime you failed regarding Joseph? Never will I quit this land, until my father gives me leave, or God judges in my favour; He is the best of judges. 80 Go back to your father and say: O our father! surely your son committed theft, and we do not bear witness except to what we have known, and we could not keep watch over the unseen: 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 Jacob said: "Nay, but ye have yourselves contrived a story (good enough) for you. So patience is most fitting (for me). Maybe Allah will bring them (back) all to me (in the end). For He is indeed full of knowledge and wisdom." 83 And he turned away and said: 'Alas for Joseph' His eyes turned white with the grief he repressed within him. 84 "By God," said they, "you will never stop thinking of Joseph till you are consumed or perish." 85 He replied: 'I complain to Allah of my anguish and sadness. I know from Allah what 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 When his brothers presented themselves before Joseph, they pleaded, "Exalted one, distress has afflicted us and our family and we have brought only a paltry sum; but give us full measure. Be charitable to us. Truly, God rewards the charitable." 88 He said, "Are you aware of what you did to Joseph and his brother in ignorance?" 89 They exclaimed: "Why - is it indeed thou who art Joseph?" He answered: "I am Joseph, and this is my brother. God has indeed been gracious unto us. Verily, if one is conscious of Him and patient in adversity behold, God does not fail to requite the doers of good!" 90 [The brothers] said, "By God! Most certainly God has raised you high above us, and we have indeed been guilty!" 91 He replied: 'Let no reproach be on you this day. Allah will forgive you He is the Most Merciful of the merciful. 92 Go with this shirt of mine and cast it upon my father's face; he shall become clear-sighted; and bring unto me all your household. 93