۞ Out of the earth We created you, and We shall restore you into it, and bring you forth from it a second time.' 55 So We showed him (Pharaoh) Our signs, all of them, but he belied and refused them. 56 He said: art thou come unto us that thou mayest drive us out of our land by thy magic, O Musa! 57 But we surely can produce for thee magic the like thereof; so appoint a tryst between us and you, which neither we nor thou shall fail to keep, at a place convenient (to us both). 58 (Musa) said: Your appointment is the day of the Festival and let the people be gathered together in the early forenoon. 59 Then Pharaoh went and gathered his strength, then came (to the appointed tryst). 60 Musa said to them: Woe to you! do not forge a lie against Allah, lest He destroy you by a punishment, and he who forges (a lie) indeed fails to attain (his desire). 61 And they disputed upon their plan between them, and communed secretly 62 They said: Lo! these are two wizards who would drive you out from your country by their magic, and destroy your best traditions; 63 So prepare your strategy and come forward. He alone shall win today who is superior." 64 They said, "Moses, will you throw down first, or shall we be the first to throw down?" 65 He answered: "Nay, you throw [first]." And lo! by virtue of their sorcery, their [magic] ropes and staffs seemed to him to be moving rapidly: 66 So Musa (Moses) conceived a fear in himself. 67 But We said to him: 'Do not be afraid; you shall surely be the uppermost. 68 Cast down what is in thy right hand, and it shall swallow what they have fashioned; for they have fashioned only the guile of a sorcerer, and the sorcerer prospers not; wherever he goes.' 69 The magicians bowed down in prostration saying, "We believe in the Lord of Moses and Aaron". 70 Pharaoh said, "Have you believed in him before I permit you? He must be your master who has taught you magic. I will cut your hands and feet off on opposite sides, and have you crucified on the trunks of palm-trees. You shall know whose punishment is more severe and more lasting." 71 Their reply was: 'We will not prefer you over the clear signs that have come to us, nor over Him who has created us. So decide upon whatever you decide, you can only decide upon things in this present life. 72 We have faith in our Lord so that He will forgive our sins and our magical performances that you forced us to show. God is better than all things and His rewards last longer." 73 Verily he who comes to his Lord as a sinner (at Judgment),- for him is Hell: therein shall he neither die nor live. 74 But for whosoever comes before Him as a believer and having done good works there awaits the most highest degree; 75 Gardens of Eternity, beneath which flow rivers: they will dwell therein for aye: such is the reward of those who purify themselves (from evil). 76