We sent Moses to the Pharaoh and his nobles with Our miracles and he said, "I am the Messenger of the Lord of the Universe". 46 But as soon as he came before them with Our [miraculous] signs, lo! they derided them, 47 And We did not show them a sign but it was greater than its like, and We overtook them with chastisement that they may turn. 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 Yet no sooner did We take away the affliction from them than they broke their pledge. 50 And Pharaoh caused a proclamation to be made among his people saying: O my people! Is not mine the sovereignty of Egypt and these rivers flowing under me? Can ye not then discern? 51 Am I not better than this lowly man who can barely express himself? 52 Why, then, have armlets of gold not been set upon him, or angels sent along with him? 53 Thus he incited his people to levity, and they obeyed him: for, behold, they were people depraved! 54 When at length they provoked Us, We exacted retribution from them, and We drowned them all. 55 And We made them a precedent (as a lesson for those coming after them), and an example to later generations. 56