O Children of Israel: remember My favour wherewith I favoured you, and that verily I preferred you over the world. 47 Guard yourselves against the Day when no soul can avail a thing to another, when neither intercession nor ransom shall be accepted from it, nor will they be helped. 48 And [recall] when We saved your forefathers from the people of Pharaoh, who afflicted you with the worst torment, slaughtering your [newborn] sons and keeping your females alive. And in that was a great trial from your Lord. 49 And [recall] when We parted the sea for you and saved you and drowned the people of Pharaoh while you were looking on. 50 Yet, remember, as We communed with Moses for forty nights you took the calf in his absence (and worshipped it), and you did wrong. 51 Then We forgave you after that so perhaps you would be grateful. 52 And remember We gave Moses the Scripture and the Criterion (Between right and wrong): There was a chance for you to be guided aright. 53 When Moses said to his people, "O my people, you have indeed wronged yourselves by worshipping the calf; turn in repentance to your Creator and slay [the culprits] among you. That course is best for you in the sight of your Maker." He relented towards you. He is the Forgiving One, the Merciful. 54 And recall what time ye said: O Musa! we will not believe in thee until we see God openly; then a thunderbolt took hold of you while ye looked on. 55 Then We raised you from your death, so that you might give thanks. 56 (Remember that) We caused the cloud to overshadow you and provided you with manna and salva for your food, saying, "Eat of the clean and pure things We have bestowed upon you" (In spite of this, your forefathers violated Our commands:) however, they did not harm Us but harmed only themselves. 57 And [recall] when We said, "Enter this city and eat from it wherever you will in [ease and] abundance, and enter the gate bowing humbly and say, 'Relieve us of our burdens.' We will [then] forgive your sins for you, and We will increase the doers of good [in goodness and reward]." 58 But the harmdoers tampered with Our Words, different from that said to them, and We let loose on the harmdoers a scourge from heaven as a punishment for their debauchery. 59