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XII, 20-26.
THE CHAPTER OF JOSEPH.
221
[20] And they sold him for a mean price, drachmæ counted out,—and they parted with him cheaply.
And the man from Egypt who had bought him said to his wife, 'Honour his abiding here ; it may be he will be of use to us, or we may adopt him as a son.'
Thus did we stablish Joseph in the land; and we did surely teach him the interpretation of sayings; for God can overcome His affairs, though most men do not know.
And when he had reached his strength 1 we brought him judgment and knowledge, for thus do we reward those who do good.
And she in whose house he was desired him for his person; and she locked the doors and said, "Come along with thee!' Said he, Refuge in God! verily, my Lord has made good my abiding here; verily, the wrong-doers shall not prosper.'
And she was anxious for him, and he would have been anxious for her, had it not been that he saw the demonstration of his Lord ; thus did we turn evil and fornication from him ; verily, he was of our sincere servants.
[25] And they raced to the door and she rent his shirt from behind; and they met her master at the door. Said she, What is the recompense of him who wishes evil for thy family, but that imprisonment or a grievous torment ?'
Said he, 'She desired me for my person.' And
· The age of puberty.
* The angel Gabriel in the form of his father appeared with a warning gesture, according to the Muslim commentators.
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