۞ Thereof (the earth) We created you, and into it We shall return you, and from it We shall bring you out once again. 55 So We showed Pharaoh all Our signs, but he cried lies, and refused. 56 He said, “Have you come to us in order to expel us from our land by your magic, O Moosa?” 57 "Then verily, we can produce magic the like thereof; so appoint a meeting between us and you, which neither we, nor you shall fail to keep, in an open wide place where both shall have a just and equal chance (and beholders could witness the competition)." 58 Moses said: "The appointment to meet you is on the Day of the Feast and let all people come together before noon." 59 So Firon turned his back and settled his plan, then came. 60 Moses said to them, "Woe to you! Do not invent lies against God, lest He destroy you by some calamity: whoever invents lies is bound to fail." 61 So they debated among themselves as to what to do; but they kept their counsel secret, 62 They said: These are most surely two magicians who wish to turn you out from your land by their magic and to take away your best traditions. 63 Hence, [O sorcerers of Egypt,] decide upon the scheme which you will pursue, and then come forward in one single body: for, indeed, he who prevails today shall prosper indeed!" 64 They said: O Musa! will you cast, or shall we be the first who cast down? 65 Moses said, "You throw down first." Suddenly their ropes and staffs appeared to him, by their magic, to be moving about rapidly, 66 So Musa (Moses) conceived a fear in himself. 67 We said: Fear not, surely you shall be the uppermost, 68 Throw that which is in your right hand. It will swallow up that which they have made, for that which they made is but the guile of a sorcerer. Wherever he goes the sorcerer does not prosper' 69 So the magicians fell down prostrate. They said: "We believe in the Lord of Harun (Aaron) and Musa (Moses)." 70 (Pharaoh) said: Ye put faith in him before I give you leave. Lo! he is your chief who taught you magic. Now surely I shall cut off your hands and your feet alternately, and I shall crucify you on the trunks of palm trees, and ye shall know for certain which of us hath sterner and more lasting punishment. 71 They said, "Never shall we prefer you to all the evidence of the truth that has come to us. Nor to Him who has brought us into being. So decide whatever you will. Your jurisdiction only covers the life of this world -- 72 we have believed in our Lord so that He may forgive us our sins and forgive us the sorcery that you have forced us to practice. God is the best and the most abiding." 73 Indeed, whoever comes to his Lord as a criminal - indeed, for him is Hell; he will neither die therein 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 Eden with rippling streams, where he will live for ever. This is the recompense of those who achieve integrity. 76