۞ out of this [earth] have We created you, and into it shall We return you, and out of it shall We bring you forth once again. 55 And truly We showed him Our signs, all of them, but he rejected and refused. 56 He said, "Have you come to us to turn us out of our land by means of your magic, Moses? 57 We shall also answer you by magic. Let us make an appointment for a contest among us and let each of us be present at a certain time in the appointed place". 58 [Moses] said, "Your appointment is on the day of the festival when the people assemble at mid-morning." 59 So Pharaoh withdrew, devised his stratagem and returned. 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 Then they wrangled about their affair among themselves, and kept secret their private counsel. 62 saying [to one another]: "These two are surely sorcerers intent on driving you from your land by their sorcery, and on doing away with your time-honoured way of life. 63 Therefore settle your plan, then come standing in ranks and he will prosper indeed this day who overcomes. 64 They said, "Moses, would you be the first to show your skill or should we be the first to throw down our devices?" 65 He said, "Rather, you throw." And suddenly their ropes and staffs seemed to him from their magic that they were moving [like snakes]. 66 and in his heart Moses became apprehensive. 67 We said to him: "Have no fear; for it is you who will prevail. 68 And cast down what is in your right hand; it shall devour what they have wrought; they have wrought only the plan of a magician, and the magician shall not be successful wheresoever he may come from. 69 And the magicians were cast down making obeisance; they said: We believe in the Lord of Haroun and Musa. 70 Fir'awn said; believed ye in him ere I gave you leave! verily he is your chief who hath taught you magic. So I will surely cut off your hands and feet on the opposite sides, and will surely crucify you on the trunks of palm-trees, and ye shall surely know whichever of us is severer in torment and more lasting. 71 They said: We choose thee not above the clear proofs that have come unto us, and above Him Who created us. So decree what thou wilt decree. Thou wilt end for us only this life of the world. 72 We believe in our Lord that He may forgive us our sins and also forgive us the practice of magic to which you had compelled us. Allah is the Best and He alone will abide." 73 The dwelling place of one who comes into the presence of his Lord as a criminal will be hell wherein he will never die nor enjoy his life. 74 And whoso comes unto Him a believer having done deeds of righteousness, those -- for them await the most sublime degrees; 75 Gardens Everlasting whereunder rivers flow: abiders therein; that is the meed of him who hath purified himself. 76