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 came to them with Our signs, they ridiculed 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 And [every time] they exclaimed: "O thou sorcerer! Pray for us to thy Sustainer on the strength of the covenant [of prophethood] which He has made with thee: for, verily, we shall now follow the right way!" 49 Then when We had removed from them the torment, behold they were breaking their promise. 50 And Pharaoh issued a call to his people, saying: "O my people! Does not the dominion over Egypt belong to me, since all these running waters flow at my feet? Can you not, then, see [that I am your lord supreme]? 51 I am surely better than this fellow, who is despicable and can hardly make (his meaning) plain! 52 Then why have there not been placed upon him bracelets of gold or come with him the angels in conjunction?" 53 Thus he incited his people to levity, and they obeyed him: for, behold, they were people depraved! 54 And when they angered Us, We took retribution from them and drowned them all. 55 And We made them a precedent (as a lesson for those coming after them), and an example to later generations. 56