So when they had despaired of him, they secluded themselves in private consultation. The eldest of them said, "Do you not know that your father has taken upon you an oath by Allah and [that] before you failed in [your duty to] Joseph? So I will never leave [this] land until my father permits me or Allah decides for me, and 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 "'Ask at the town where we have been and the caravan in which we returned, and (you will find) we are indeed telling the truth.'" 82 Jacob said, "No, but you have yourselves contrived a story. But it is best to be patient. God may well bring them all back to me [in the end]. For He is indeed full of knowledge and wisdom." 83 And he turned away from them, and said, 'Ah, woe is me for Joseph!' And his eyes turned white because of the sorrow that he choked within him. 84 'By God,' they said, 'thou wilt never cease mentioning Joseph till thou art consumed, or among the perishing.' 85 He said: "I only complain of my distraction and anguish to Allah, and I know from Allah that which ye know not... 86 O sons, go in search of Joseph and his brother, and do not despair of the mercy of God. Only they despair of God's mercy who do not believe." 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: remember ye that which ye did unto Yusuf and his brother while ye were ignorant? 89 They said, 'Why, art thou indeed Joseph?' 'I am Joseph,' he said. 'This is my brother. God has indeed been gracious unto us. Whosoever fears God, and is patient -- surely God leaves not to waste the wage of the good-doers. 90 They said: "By Allah! Indeed Allah has preferred you above us, and we certainly have been sinners." 91 He said: (There shall be) no reproof against you this day; Allah may forgive you, and He is the most Merciful of the merciful. 92 [And now] go and take this tunic of mine and lay it over my father's face, and he will recover his sight. And thereupon come [back] to me with all your family." 93