Do not the people who inherited the earth from the (earlier) inhabitants perceive that We could afflict them too for their sins if We pleased, and put seals on their hearts that they may not hear (the voice of truth)? 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 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 thou comest with a token, then produce it, if thou art of those who speak 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 appeared [shining] white to the beholders. 108