۞ 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 assuredly We shewed him Our signs, all of them, but he belied 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 "Then verily, we can produce magic the like thereof; so appoint a meeting between us and you, which neither we, nor you shall fail to keep, in an open wide place where both shall have a just and equal chance (and beholders could witness the competition)." 58 Moses said: "Your tryst is the Day of the Festival, and let the people be assembled when the sun is well up." 59 The Pharaoh returned to organize his plans and then attended the appointment. 60 Said Moses to them: "Woe unto you! Do not invent lies against God, lest He afflict you with most grievous suffering: for He who contrives [such] a lie is already undone!" 61 Thereupon they wrangled among themselves about the matter and conferred in secret. 62 They said, "Certainly they are both magicians who want to drive you out of your land by their magic, and destroy your best traditions. 63 So muster all your stratagem and come forth in a row. Whoever prevails today shall triumph." 64 They said:"O Musa (Moses)! Either you throw first or we be the first to throw?" 65 Moses replied: 'No, you throw first' And by their sorcery it seemed to him that their ropes and staffs were sliding. 66 Then a kind of fear in his soul Musa felt. 67 We (Allah) said: "Fear not! Surely, you will have the upper hand. 68 And [now] throw that [staff] which is in thy right hand - it shall swallow up all that they have wrought: [for] they have wrought only a sorcerer's artifice, and the sorcerer can never come to any good, whatever he may aim at!" 69 And the magicians were cast down making obeisance; they said: We believe in the Lord of Haroun and Musa. 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 VERILY, as for him who shall appear before his Sustainer [on Judgment Day] lost in sin - his [portion,] behold, shall be hell: he will neither die therein nor live; 74 But whoso cometh unto Him a believer, having done good works, for such are the high stations; 75 Gardens of Eden with rippling streams, where he will live for ever. This is the recompense of those who achieve integrity. 76