They said, as they came towards them, "What are you missing?"
They said, "We are missing the king's goblet. Whoever brings it will have a camel-load; and I personally guarantee it."
They said, "By Allah, you know we did not come to cause trouble in the land, and we are not thieves."
They said, "What shall be his punishment, if you are lying?"
They said, "His punishment, if it is found in his bag: he will belong to you. Thus we penalize the guilty."
So he began with their bags, before his brother's bag. Then he pulled it out of his brother's bag. Thus We devised a plan for Joseph; he could not have detained his brother under the king's law, unless Allah so willed. We elevate by degrees whomever We will; and above every person of knowledge, there is one more learned.
They said, "If he has stolen, a brother of his has stolen before." But Joseph kept it to himself, and did not reveal it to them. He said, "You are in a worse situation, and Allah is Aware of what you allege."
They said, "O noble prince, he has a father, a very old man, so take one of us in his place. We see that you are a good person."
He said, "Allah forbid that we should arrest anyone except him in whose possession we found our property; for then we would be unjust."
And when they despaired of him, they conferred privately. Their eldest said, "Don't you know that your father received a pledge from you before Allah, and in the past you failed with regard to Joseph? I will not leave this land until my father permits me, or Allah decides for me; for He is the Best of Deciders."
