THUS, INDEED, have We sent Moses with Our messages unto Pharaoh and his great ones; and he said: "Behold, I am an apostle of the Sustainer of all the worlds!" 46 but when he came to them with Our signs, they ridiculed them, 47 And all the signs We showed them were always greater than the earlier ones; and We seized them with calamities, so that they may return. 48 And they said: O wizard! Entreat thy Lord for us by the pact that He hath made with thee. Lo! we verily will walk aright. 49 When We relieved them from the torment they suddenly turned back on their heels. 50 And Pharaoh called out among his people; he said, "O my people, does not the kingdom of Egypt belong to me, and these rivers flowing beneath me; then do you not see? 51 "Am I not better than this (Moses), who is a contemptible wretch and can scarcely express himself clearly? 52 and why have not armlets of gold been bestowed on him and why is there not a train of angels accompanying him?" 53 Thus he incited his people to levity, and they obeyed him: for, behold, they were people depraved! 54 But when they continued to challenge Us, We inflicted Our retribution on them, and drowned them all: 55 And We made them (a people) of the Past and an Example to later ages. 56