HENCE, [remember how it was] when thy Sustainer summoned Moses: "Go unto those evil doing people. 10 The folk of Pharaoh. Will they not ward off (evil)? 11 He said: "My Lord! I fear that they will brand me a liar. 12 “I feel hesitant, and my tongue does not speak fast, therefore make Haroon also a Noble Messenger.” 13 “And they have an accusation against me, so I fear that they may kill me.” 14 Said He: "Not so, indeed! Go forth, then, both of you, with Our messages: verily, We shall be with you, listening [to your call]! 15 "So go forth, both of you, to Pharaoh, and say: 'We have been sent by the Lord and Cherisher of the worlds; 16 [Commanded to say], "Send with us the Children of Israel."'" 17 Pharaoh said to Moses, "Did we not bring you up among us as a child? And you spent several years of your life with us. 18 And yet thou didst commit that [heinous] deed of thine, and [hast thus shown that] thou art one of the ingrate!" 19 (Moses) replied: "I did do that and I was in the wrong, 20 I fled from you because I feared you. But my Lord has given me judgment and made me one of the Messengers. 21 "And this is the favour with which thou dost reproach me,- that thou hast enslaved the Children of Israel!" 22 Said Pharaoh, "And what is the Lord of the worlds?" 23 [Moses] answered: "[He is] the Sustainer of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them: if you would but [allow yourselves to] be convinced!" 24 The Pharaoh said to the people around him, "Did you hear that?" 25 (Moses) said: "Your Lord and the Lord of your fathers from the beginning!" 26 (Pharaoh) said: Lo! your messenger who hath been sent unto you is indeed a madman! 27 He said: Lord of the East and the West and all that is between them, if ye did but understand. 28 Said he: If you will take a god besides me, I will most certainly make you one of the imprisoned. 29 Moses asked, "What if I were to bring you clear proof (of the existence of God)?" 30 Said he: Bring it then, if you are of the truthful ones. 31 So he cast down his rod, and lo! it was an obvious serpent, 32 And he drew out his hand, and behold, it was white to all beholders! 33