In the name of Allah, the Most Kind, the Most Caring.

1. Alif. Lam. Ra. These are the verses of the clear Book.

2. We sent it down as an Arabic Quran, so you can understand.

3. We tell you the best stories by giving you this Quran. Before this, you didn't know about them.

4. Remember when Joseph said to his father, "Father, I saw eleven stars, and the sun, and the moon — I saw them bowing down to me."

5. His father said, "My dear son, don't tell your dream to your brothers, or they might plan something bad against you. Satan is clearly an enemy to humans."

6. Your Lord will choose you, teach you how to understand dreams, and complete His blessing on you and Jacob's family — just as He completed it on your grandfathers, Abraham and Isaac, before you. Your Lord knows everything and is very wise.

7. In Joseph and his brothers, there are lessons for those who ask.

8. Remember when his brothers said, "Joseph and his brother are more loved by our father than we are, even though we're a strong group. Our father is clearly mistaken."

9. "Let's kill Joseph or send him far away. Then our father will pay attention only to us, and afterward, we'll be good people."

10. One of them said, "Don't kill Joseph. Instead, throw him into the bottom of a well. Some travelers will find him and pick him up, if you really want to do something."

11. They said, "Father, why don't you trust us with Joseph? We really care about him."

12. "Send him with us tomorrow, so he can run around and play. We'll definitely keep him safe."

13. Their father said, "It makes me sad to let him go with you. I'm afraid a wolf might eat him while you're not paying attention."

14. They said, "If a wolf eats him while we're a strong group, then we'd really be losers."

15. When they took him away, they agreed to put him deep inside a well. But We inspired him, "One day, you'll tell them what they did, and they won't even realize it's you."

16. At night, they came back to their father, crying.

17. They said, "Father, we went racing and left Joseph with our things. Then a wolf ate him! But we know you won't believe us, even though we're telling the truth."

18. They showed him Joseph's shirt with fake blood on it. Their father said, "No, your hearts have tricked you into doing something wrong. I'll be patient, and Allah will help me with what you're saying."

19. Then some travelers came by. They sent their water carrier, who lowered his bucket into the well. He shouted happily, "Good news! There's a boy here!" They secretly took Joseph as something to sell. But Allah knew exactly what they were doing.

20. They sold him for just a few silver coins, because they didn't think he was worth much.

21. The man from Egypt who bought Joseph said to his wife, "Take good care of him. Maybe he'll help us, or we can adopt him as our son." That's how We gave Joseph a safe place to live, and taught him how to understand dreams. Allah always does what He plans, but most people don't know this.

22. When Joseph grew up, We gave him wisdom and knowledge. That's how We reward people who do good.

23. The woman whose house Joseph lived in tried to make him do something wrong. She locked all the doors and said, "Come here!" Joseph said, "I ask Allah to protect me! Your husband has treated me kindly. People who do wrong will never succeed."

24. She wanted him to do wrong, and he would have wanted to do wrong too, if he hadn't seen a clear sign from his Lord. That's how We kept evil and bad actions away from him. He was one of Our special servants.

25. They both raced to the door, and she tore his shirt from behind. At the door, they found her husband. She quickly said, "What should happen to someone who tried to hurt your family? He should be put in prison or punished painfully!"

26. Joseph said, "She was the one who tried to make me do wrong!" Then someone from her family spoke up, "If his shirt is torn from the front, she's telling the truth, and he's lying.

27. But if his shirt is torn from behind, she's lying, and he's telling the truth."

28. When her husband saw Joseph's shirt torn from behind, he said, "This is one of your tricks. Your tricks are very serious!"

29. He said, "Joseph, forget about this. And you," he said to his wife, "ask forgiveness for your mistake. You've done something wrong."

30. Some women in the city said, "The governor's wife is trying to make her servant love her. She loves him so much! We think she's clearly doing something wrong."

31. When the governor's wife heard what they were saying, she invited them to her house. She prepared a nice place for them to sit, and she gave each woman a knife. Then she said to Joseph, "Come out to them." When the women saw him, they were amazed by how handsome he was. They cut their hands and said, "Allah forbid! This can't be a human — he must be a wonderful angel!"

32. The governor's wife said, "This is the one you blamed me about. I tried to make him love me, but he refused. If he doesn't do what I say, he'll surely go to prison and be humiliated."

33. Joseph prayed, "My Lord, I'd rather go to prison than do what they're asking me to do. If You don't protect me from their tricks, I might make a mistake and become one of those who don't know right from wrong."

34. So his Lord answered his prayer and protected him from their tricks. He hears everything and knows everything.

35. Later, even after seeing clear signs of Joseph's innocence, they decided to put him in prison for a while.

36. Two young men entered prison with Joseph. One of them said, "I dreamed I was squeezing grapes to make wine." The other said, "I dreamed I was carrying bread on my head, and birds were eating from it. Please tell us what our dreams mean. We see you're someone who always does good."

37. Joseph said, "I'll tell you what your dreams mean before your next meal arrives. This is something my Lord taught me. I've left behind the ways of people who don't believe in Allah and don't believe in the Hereafter."

38. "I follow the way of my fathers — Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We would never worship anyone besides Allah. This is Allah's kindness to us and to all people, but most people aren't thankful."

39. "My two friends in prison, what's better — many different gods, or Allah, the One Who has power over everything?"

40. "You worship only names that you and your fathers made up. Allah never gave you permission to do that. The decision is only for Allah. He commanded that you worship no one except Him. This is the true religion, but most people don't know."

41. "My two friends in prison, here's what your dreams mean: One of you will serve wine to his master. The other will be crucified, and birds will eat from his head. This is what you've asked me about, and it's already decided."

42. Joseph said to the one he knew would be saved, "Please mention me to your master." But Satan made the man forget to mention Joseph to his master, so Joseph stayed in prison for several more years.

43. The king said, "I dreamed about seven fat cows being eaten by seven skinny cows, and seven green ears of grain and seven dry ones. My advisors, tell me what my dream means, if you can explain dreams."

44. They replied, "These are just mixed-up dreams, and we don't know how to explain dreams."

45. Then the man who had been freed remembered after a long time, and he said, "I can tell you what this dream means. Let me go to find out."

46. He went and said, "Joseph, my truthful friend, please explain this dream: seven fat cows being eaten by seven skinny cows, and seven green ears of grain and seven dry ones. Then I can go back and tell the people, so they'll understand."

47. Joseph said, "You'll plant crops for seven years, working hard. When you harvest, leave the grain in its ears, except for a little that you'll eat.

48. After that, seven very hard years will come. They'll eat up all the food you saved, except for a little bit you'll keep safe.

49. Then, after that, a year will come when plenty of rain will fall, and people will have lots of fruit to squeeze into juice."

50. The king said, "Bring Joseph to me." But when the messenger came to Joseph, Joseph said, "Go back to your master and ask him about the women who cut their hands. My Lord knows all about their tricks."

51. The king asked the women, "What happened when you tried to trick Joseph?" They said, "Allah forbid! We don't know anything bad about him." Then the governor's wife said, "Now the truth is clear. I was the one who tried to trick him, and he's telling the truth."

52. Joseph said, "I asked this so my master would know I didn't secretly betray him, and that Allah doesn't guide the tricks of those who betray.

53. I'm not saying I'm perfect. People often want to do wrong things, except when my Lord is kind to them. My Lord is forgiving and kind."

54. The king said, "Bring Joseph to me. I'll keep him close to me." When he talked with Joseph, he said, "Today, you're trusted and respected by us."

55. Joseph said, "Put me in charge of the country's storehouses. I'll guard them carefully, and I know how to manage them well."

56. That's how We gave Joseph power in the land, so he could live wherever he wanted. We give Our kindness to anyone We choose, and We never waste the reward of those who do good.

57. And the reward in the Hereafter is even better for those who believe and are careful to obey Allah.

58. Then Joseph's brothers came and went in to see him. He recognized them, but they didn't recognize him.

59. When he gave them the food they needed, he said, "Next time, bring me your brother from your father. Don't you see that I give full measure, and I'm the best host?"

60. "If you don't bring him to me, you won't get any more food from me, and don't come near me again."

61. They said, "We'll try to convince his father to let him come. We'll surely do our best."

62. Joseph told his helpers, "Put their traded goods back into their bags, so they'll find them when they get home. Maybe they'll come back again."

63. When they returned to their father, they said, "Father, we can't get any more food unless you send our brother with us. Let him come, so we can get food. We'll take good care of him."

64. He said, "Should I trust you with him, just like I trusted you with his brother before? Allah is the best protector, and He is the Most Caring of all."

65. When they opened their bags, they found their traded goods returned to them. They said, "Father, what more could we ask for? Look, our traded goods have been given back to us. Now we can get more food for our family, take care of our brother, and get an extra camel-load of food. That's easy to get."

66. Their father said, "I won't send him with you, unless you promise me in Allah's name, that you'll surely bring him back, unless something happens that's beyond your control." When they gave him their promise, he said, "Allah is watching over what we say."

67. Then he said, "My sons, don't enter the city through just one gate. Go in through different gates. But I can't protect you from anything Allah decides. All decisions belong to Allah. I put my trust in Him, and everyone who trusts should trust in Him."

68. When they entered the city the way their father told them, it didn't protect them from anything Allah had planned. It was just something Jacob felt he needed to do. He had special knowledge, because We taught him — but most people don't know.

69. When they came to Joseph, he brought his brother close and said, "I'm your brother, so don't feel sad about what they've done."

70. After Joseph gave them their supplies, he secretly put the king's special cup into his brother's bag. Then someone called out, "Hey, travelers! You're thieves!"

71. They turned around and asked, "What are you missing?"

72. The helpers said, "We're missing the king's special cup. Whoever finds it will get a camel-load of food. I promise this myself."

73. Joseph's brothers said, "By Allah, you know we didn't come here to make trouble, and we're not thieves!"

74. The helpers asked, "Then what's the punishment if you're lying?"

75. The brothers answered, "The punishment is that whoever has the cup in his bag will become your prisoner. That's how we punish wrongdoers."

76. Joseph began searching their bags, starting with the others before his brother's. Then he took the cup out of his brother's bag. That's how We planned it for Joseph. He couldn't have kept his brother according to the king's rules, unless Allah wanted it. We raise up whoever We choose, and above everyone who knows something, there's someone who knows even more.

77. The brothers said, "If he stole, his brother stole before too." Joseph kept his feelings hidden and didn't show them. He said, "You are in a worse position, and Allah knows best what you're saying."

78. They said, "Oh, respected one, he has an old father. Please take one of us instead. We see you're a kind person."

79. Joseph said, "Allah forbid that we take anyone except the one who had our cup. If we did that, we'd be unfair."

80. When they lost hope of changing his mind, they went aside to talk privately. The oldest brother said, "Don't you remember that your father made you promise before Allah? And remember how you failed with Joseph before? I'm not leaving this land until my father lets me or Allah decides for me. He's the best at deciding."

81. "Go back to your father and say, 'Father, your son stole. We only say what we saw, and we couldn't know what was hidden.'"

82. "Ask the people in the town we were in, and the travelers we came with. We're telling the truth."

83. Their father said, "No, your hearts have made up another story. I'll be patient in a beautiful way. Maybe Allah will bring them all back to me. He knows everything and is very wise."

84. He turned away from them and said, "Oh, my sadness for Joseph!" His eyes turned white from sadness, but he kept his feelings inside.

85. They said, "By Allah, you'll keep remembering Joseph until you become very sick or even die!"

86. He said, "I only tell my sadness and pain to Allah, and I know from Allah what you don't know."

87. "My sons, go and look carefully for Joseph and his brother. Don't lose hope in Allah's kindness. Only people who don't believe lose hope in Allah's kindness."

88. When they came to Joseph, they said, "Sir, hard times have come to us and our family. We brought only a little money. Please give us full measure, and be kind to us. Allah rewards those who give to others."

89. Joseph asked, "Do you remember what you did to Joseph and his brother when you didn't understand?"

90. They said, "Are you Joseph?" He answered, "I am Joseph, and this is my brother. Allah has been good to us. Whoever respects Allah and stays patient, Allah never wastes the reward of those who do good."

91. They said, "By Allah, He has chosen you over us. We were wrong."

92. Joseph said, "Today, there's no blame on you. Allah will forgive you. He is the Most Merciful."

93. "Take this shirt of mine, and put it on my father's face. He will see again. Then bring your whole family to me."

94. When the caravan left Egypt, their father said, "I can smell Joseph's scent, even if you think I'm imagining things."

95. They said, "By Allah, you're still lost in your old thoughts."

96. But when the good news came, someone placed Joseph's shirt on his father's face, and he could see again. He said, "Didn't I tell you I know things from Allah that you don't know?"

97. They said, "Father, ask Allah to forgive our mistakes. We were wrong."

98. He said, "I will ask my Lord to forgive you. He is Forgiving and Kind."

99. When they all came to Joseph, he hugged his parents close and said, "Come into Egypt safely, if Allah wills."

100. He seated his parents on a high throne, and they all bowed down to him. Joseph said, "Father, this is the meaning of my dream from before. My Lord has made it come true. He was good to me when He took me out of prison, and brought you all here from the desert, after Satan caused trouble between me and my brothers. My Lord is gentle in whatever He wants. He knows everything and is very wise."

101. "My Lord, You've given me power and taught me how to understand dreams. Creator of the heavens and the earth, You are my Protector in this world and the Hereafter. Let me die as a Muslim, and join me with the good people."

102. These are stories about hidden things that We tell you. You weren't with them when they made their plans and were plotting.

103. Most people won't believe, even if you really want them to.

104. You're not asking them for any reward. This is only a reminder for everyone.

105. How many signs in the heavens and the earth do they pass by, but they ignore them?

106. Most of them don't believe in Allah without also worshiping others along with Him.

107. Do they feel safe that a punishment from Allah won't suddenly come to them, or that the Day of Judgment won't surprise them when they don't expect it?

108. Say, "This is my way — I invite people to Allah with clear understanding, I and everyone who follows me. Glory belongs to Allah, and I'm not someone who worships others along with Him."

109. We only sent men from towns, giving them Our message. Haven't they traveled around the earth and seen what happened to those who lived before them? The home in the Hereafter is better for those who are careful to obey Allah. Don't you understand?

110. When the messengers almost lost hope and thought no one would believe them, Our help came to them. We saved whoever We wanted, and Our punishment can't be stopped from reaching those who do wrong.

111. In their stories, there's a lesson for people who think carefully. These aren't made-up stories, but they agree with what came before them. They explain everything clearly, and they're guidance and kindness for people who believe.