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| 70. And when he had given them their provisions, he put the drinking cup in his brothers saddle-bag. Then a crier cried. 'O ye men of the caravan, you are surely thieves.' 71. They said, turning around towards them, `What is that you miss ?' 72. They replied, `We miss the King's measuring-vessel and whoso brings it shall have a camel-load of corn and I am surety for it.' 73. They answered, `By ALLAH, you know well that we came not to make mischief in the land, and we are not thieves.' 74. They said, `What then shall be the punishment for it, if you are found to be liars ?' 75. They replied, `The punishment for it - he in whose saddle-bag it is found shall himself be the penalty for it. Thus do we punish the wrongdoers.' 76. Then he began with the search of their sacks before the sack of Joseph's brother; then he took it out of the sack of his brother. He could not have taken his brother under the King's law unless ALLAH had so willed. WE raise in degrees of rank whomsoever WE please; and over every possessor of knowledge is One, Most-Knowing. 77. They replied, `If he has stolen, a brother of his had also committed theft before.' But Joseph kept it a secret in his heart and did not disclose it to them. He simply said, `You are in a worst condition; and ALLAH knows best what you allege.' 78. They said, `O noble chief, he has a very aged father, so take one of us in his place; for we see thee to be one of those who are benevolent.' |
