۞ Thereof (the earth) We created you, and into it We shall return you, and from it We shall bring you out once again. 55 We showed the Pharaoh all of Our miracles, but he called them lies and turned away from them. 56 He said: "Hast thou come to drive us out of our land by thy sorcery, O Moses? 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 Moses said, "Let the contest take place on the Day of Feast so that all the people can come together during the brightness of the day." 59 So Pharaoh withdrew, devised his stratagem and returned. 60 Moses told them, (the magicians) "Woe to you if you invent falsehood against God; you will be destroyed by the torment. Whoever invents falsehood against God will certainly be lost." 61 So they disputed over their affair among themselves and concealed their private conversation. 62 They said, "Certainly they are both magicians who want to drive you out of your land by their magic, and destroy your best traditions. 63 So muster all your stratagem and come forth in a row. Whoever prevails today shall triumph." 64 They said: either thou cast down, or we shall be the first to cast down. 65 Moses replied: "No, let it be you to throw first." Then suddenly it appeared to Moses, owing to their magic, as if their ropes and staffs were running. 66 And Moses conceived a fear in his mind. 67 But We said to him: 'Do not be afraid; you shall surely be the uppermost. 68 And throw what is in your right hand; it will swallow up what they have crafted. What they have crafted is but the trick of a magician, and the magician will not succeed wherever he is." 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 The magicians answered: "By Him Who has created us, we shall never prefer you to the Truth after manifest Signs have come to us. So decree whatever you will. Your decree will pertain, at the most, to the present life of the world. 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 Indeed, whoever comes to his Lord as a criminal - indeed, for him is Hell; he will neither die therein nor live. 74 And the one who presents himself as a believer before Him, having done good deeds – so for them are the high ranks. 75 Gardens Everlasting whereunder rivers flow: abiders therein; that is the meed of him who hath purified himself. 76