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12:13 Yusuf 174
after him.’ 13 [Jacob] said, ‘It 19 And there came a caravan of
would indeed grieve me if you travellers and they sent their
took him away with you, and I water-drawer to draw water from
fear lest the wolf should devour the well. He let down his bucket
him while you are off your guard.’ into the well and he exclaimed,
14
They said, ‘Surely, if the wolf ‘Oh, what a lucky find, here is a
devoured him while we were a boy!’ They hid him like a piece
strong party, we should indeed of merchandise, but God knew
20
be great losers.’ well what they did. Later they
15 And so, when they went sold him for a paltry sum, a few
away with him, they decided to pieces of silver [dirhams]: So
cast him into the dark depths of little did they value him.
a well. Then We revealed to him 21 The Egyptian who bought
Our will, ‘You shall [one day] him said to his wife, ‘Lodge him
tell them of this deed of theirs, honourably, he may prove of
when they do not realize who benefit to us, or we may even
16
you are.’ And at nightfall they adopt him as our son.’ Thus We
came to their father, weeping. established Joseph in the land,
17
They said, ‘Father, we went so that We might teach him the
off racing and left Joseph with true meaning of events. God has
our belongings, and the wolf power over all things. However,
devoured him. But you will not most people do not know this.
believe us, even though we are 22 And when he reached maturity,
telling the truth.’ 18 And they We bestowed on him right
showed him their brother’s shirt, judgement and knowledge. Thus
stained with false blood. ‘No!’ We reward those who do good.
he cried. ‘Your souls have tempted 23 However, the woman in
you to do something evil! But it is whose house he lived, wanted to
best to be patient: God alone seduce him. One day she bolted
can help me bear the loss you the doors and said, ‘Come!’ He
speak of.’ replied, ‘God forbid! Truly [your