Is it not a lesson for the successors of the past generations that had We wanted, We could have punished them for their sins, sealed their hearts and deprived them of hearing? 100 Unto those [earlier] communities - some of whose stories We [now] relate unto thee - there had indeed come apostles of their own with all evidence of the truth; but they would not believe in anything to which they had once given the lie: thus it is that God seals the hearts of those who deny the truth; 101 We did not find the covenant upheld by the majority of them, but We found most of them evildoers. 102 After those We sent forth Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh and his nobles, but they dealt with Our signs unjustly. Observe, then, what happened to the mischief-makers. 103 Moses said: 'Pharaoh, I am a Messenger from the Lord of the Worlds, 104 Approved upon condition that I speak concerning Allah nothing but the truth. I come unto you (lords of Egypt) with a clear proof from your Lord. So let the Children of Israel go with me. 105 Pharaoh said: if you have brought a sign, then bring it forth if you are truthful.' 106 At this Moses threw down his staff, and lo, it became a live serpent. 107 Then he drew out his hand and it was luminous to the onlookers. 108