۞ Thereof We created you, and thereunto We return you, and thence We bring you forth a second time. 55 And We verily did show him all Our tokens, 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 Then we will surely bring you magic like it, so make between us and you an appointment, which we will not fail to keep and neither will you, in a place assigned." 58 Moses said, "Let the contest take place on the Day of Feast so that all the people can come together during the brightness of the day." 59 So Pharaoh withdrew, devised his stratagem and returned. 60 Moses said to them: "Woe betide you. Do not fabricate a lie against God, or He will destroy you with some affliction. For he who fabricates lies is doomed to failure." 61 Then they debated one with another what they must do, and they kept their counsel secret. 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 Therefore settle your plan, then come standing in ranks and he will prosper indeed this day who overcomes. 64 They said: "Either you cast (your spell), O Moses, or we shall cast it first." 65 Moses replied: "No, let it be you to throw first." Then suddenly it appeared to Moses, owing to their magic, as if their ropes and staffs were running. 66 And Moses conceived a fear in his mind. 67 We said to him: "Have no fear; for it is you who will prevail. 68 “And cast down which is in your right hand – it will devour all that they have fabricated; what they have made is only a magician’s deceit; and a magician is never successful, wherever he comes.” 69 Then the wizards were (all) flung down prostrate, crying: We believe in the Lord of Aaron and Moses. 70 Pharaoh said: "What! Did you believe in Him even before I permitted you to do so? Surely, he must be your chief who taught you magic. Now I will certainly cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and will crucify you on the trunks of palm-trees, and then you will come to know which of us can inflict sterner and more lasting torment." 71 They answered: "Never shall we prefer thee to all the evidence of the truth that has come unto us, nor to Him who has brought us into being! Decree, then, whatever thou art going to decree: thou canst decree only [something that pertains to] this worldly life! 72 We have certainly come to believe in our Lord that He may forgive our trespasses and the magic you have forced us to perform, for God is nobler and abiding." 73 Verily he who comes to his Lord as a sinner (at Judgment),- for him is Hell: therein shall he neither die nor live. 74 And the one who presents himself as a believer before Him, having done good deeds – so for them are the high ranks. 75 Gardens of Eden with rippling streams, where he will live for ever. This is the recompense of those who achieve integrity. 76