۞ From the earth We have created you, and to it We shall return you, and from it We shall raise you again. 55 So We showed him all Our signs, but he denied them and refused, 56 He said: art thou come unto us that thou mayest drive us out of our land by thy magic, O Musa! 57 But we surely can produce for thee magic the like thereof; so appoint a tryst between us and you, which neither we nor thou shall fail to keep, at a place convenient (to us both). 58 (Musa) said: Your appointment is the day of the Festival and let the people be gathered together in the early forenoon. 59 After this the Pharaoh withdrew and settled his stratagem, then came back. 60 Moses said to him: Woe to you! Forge not ye a lie against Allah, lest He destroy you (at once) utterly by chastisement: the forger must suffer frustration!" 61 They started arguing and whispering to each other 62 They said: These are most surely two magicians who wish to turn you out from your land by their magic and to take away your best traditions. 63 So resolve upon your plan and then come [forward] in line. And he has succeeded today who overcomes." 64 They said, "O Moses, either you throw or we will be the first to throw." 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 Then a kind of fear in his soul Musa felt. 67 We said: "Fear not! for thou hast indeed the upper hand: 68 Throw down what is in your right hand and it will swallow up all that they have performed; theirs is only a magical performance. Magicians can find no happiness in whatever they do." 69 So the magicians were thrown down to prostration: they said, "We believe in the Lord of Aaron and Moses". 70 Pharaoh said, 'Have you believed him before I gave you leave? Why, he is the chief of you, the same that taught you sorcery; I shall assuredly cut off alternately your hands and feet, then I shall crucify you upon the trunks of palm-trees; you shall know of a certainty which of us is more terrible in chastisement, and more abiding.' 71 They said: "Never shall we regard thee as more than the Clear Signs that have come to us, or than Him Who created us! so decree whatever thou desirest to decree: for thou canst only decree (touching) the life of this world. 72 Indeed, we have believed in our Lord that He may forgive us our sins and what you compelled us [to do] of magic. And Allah is better and more enduring." 73 Indeed, he who comes to his Lord a sinner shall be consigned to Hell; he shall neither die therein nor live. 74 But he who comes to Him with faith and righteous works shall be exalted to high ranks, 75 gardens of perpetual bliss, through which running waters flow, therein to abide: for that shall be the recompense of all who attain to purity. 76