Has it, then, not become obvious unto those who have inherited the earth in the wake of former generations that, if We so willed, We could smite them [too] by means of their sins, sealing their hearts so that they cannot hear [the truth]? 100 We have told you the stories of those towns: their messengers came to them with clear signs, but they were never going to believe in something they had already rejected. Thus God seals up 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 the time of those people, We sent Moses with Our miracles to Pharaoh and his people, but they too rejected Our miracles. Consider, how terrible the end of the evil-doers is! 103 Moses said, "Pharaoh, I am a messenger from the Lord of the Universe, 104 And it behoves me to say nothing about Allah except what is true. I have come to you with a clear sign of having been sent from your Lord. So let the Children of Israel go with me.' 105 [Pharaoh] said, "If you come with a sign, then produce it, if you are telling the truth." 106 At this Moses threw down his staff, and lo, it became a live serpent. 107 And he drew forth his hand, and lo, it was white to the beholders. 108