۞ Thereof We created you, and thereunto We return you, and therefrom We shall bring you forth once again. 55 AND, INDEED, We made Pharaoh aware of all Our messages - but he gave them the lie and refused [to heed them]. 56 He said: "Hast thou come to drive us out of our land with thy magic, O Moses? 57 We shall confront you with a sorcery like your own. So appoint a day when both of us might meet face to face in an open space; an appointment which neither we nor you shall fail to keep." 58 Moses said, "The day of the encounter will be the day of the festival, and let the people assemble when the sun has risen high." 59 So Firaun went away and gathered his schemes,* then came. (* 72000 magicians and their materials.) 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 So they differed with one another in their task, and secretly conferred. 62 They said: Lo! these are two wizards who would drive you out from your country by their magic, and destroy 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 Musa (Moses)! Either you throw first or we be the first to throw?" 65 Moses said, "You throw down first." Suddenly their ropes and staffs appeared to him, by their magic, to be moving about rapidly, 66 Then a kind of fear in his soul Musa felt. 67 We told him, "Do not be afraid for you will be the winner. 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 The magicians then prostrated themselves. 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 (the magicians) said, "We would never prefer you to the miracles that we have seen or to our Creator. Do what you want. This life is only for a short time. 72 Surely we believe in our Lord that He may forgive us our sins and the magic to which you compelled us; and Allah is better and more abiding. 73 The dwelling place of one who comes into the presence of his Lord as a criminal will be hell wherein he will never die nor enjoy his life. 74 But he who comes to Him with faith and righteous works shall be exalted to high ranks, 75 will be rewarded by high status in the gardens of Eden wherein streams flow. Such will be the reward of those who purify themselves. 76