We did send Moses aforetime, with Our Signs, to Pharaoh and his Chiefs: He said, "I am a messenger of the Lord of the Worlds." 46 But when he brought them Our tokens, behold! they laughed at them. 47 although each sign that We showed them was weightier than the preceding one: and [each time] We took them to task through suffering, so that they might return [to Us]. 48 They said, "Magician, pray to your Lord for us through your covenant with Him (If he saves us from the torment), we shall certainly seek guidance". 49 Yet no sooner did We take away the affliction from them than they broke their pledge. 50 And Pharaoh proclaimed among his people: 'O my people, do I not possess the kingdom of Egypt, and these rivers flowing beneath me? What, do you not see? 51 I am surely better than this fellow, who is despicable and can hardly make (his meaning) plain! 52 Why were then no bracelets of gold shed upon him from above, or angels sent down as a retinue with him?" 53 In this way he fooled his people and they obeyed him: they were a rebellious people. 54 But when they roused Our anger We inflicted retributive punishment and drowned them all, 55 We made them a precedent, an example for later peoples. 56