Is it not a lesson for the successors of the past generations that had We wanted, We could have punished them for their sins, sealed their hearts and deprived them of hearing? 100 To those [earlier] communities - some of whose stories We relate to you - there had indeed come Messengers with clear proofs, but they would not believe what they had once rejected as false. Thus it is that Allah seals the hearts of those who deny the truth. 101 And We did not find for most of them any covenant; but indeed, We found most of them defiantly disobedient. 102 So We sent Moses with miracles after (these apostles) to the Pharaoh and his nobles, but they behaved with them high-handedly. See then the end of the authors of evil. 103 Moses said: "O Pharaoh, I have been sent by the Lord of all the worlds; 104 Incumbent it is upon me that I speak naught respecting Allah save the truth; surely I have brought you an evidence from your Lord; wherefore let then go with me the Children of Isra'il. 105 He answered: 'If you have come with a sign, show it to us if you are of the truthful' 106 Thereupon he cast down his rod, when, lo it was a serpent manifest. 107 And he drew forth his hand, when lo: it was white unto the beholders. 108