We sent Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh and his Council, and he said: 'I am the Messenger of the Lord of the Worlds' 46 But when he came to them with Our Signs, behold they ridiculed them. 47 And not a sign We showed them, but it was greater than its sister sign; and We seized them with chastisement, that haply they should return. 48 And they said: O magician! call on your Lord for our sake, as He has made the covenant with you; we shall surely be the followers of the right way. 49 But lo, each time We removed Our affliction from them, they would go back on their word. 50 And Pharaoh proclaimed among his people, saying: "O my people! Does not the dominion of Egypt belong to me, (witness) these streams flowing underneath my (palace)? What! see ye not then? 51 "Am I not better than this (Moses), who is a contemptible wretch and can scarcely express himself clearly? 52 "Then why are not gold bracelets bestowed on him, or (why) come (not) with him angels accompanying him in procession?" 53 He (Pharaoh) intimidated his nation, so they obeyed him, for they were a sinning nation. 54 So when they incurred Our wrath, We exacted retribution from them, and drowned them all, 55 And We made them a precedent and an example for the later peoples. 56