۞ From the earth We have created you and We will return you to it, and from it We shall bring you forth a second time. 55 And truly We showed him Our signs, all of them, but he rejected and refused. 56 He said: Hast come to drive us out from our land by thy magic, O Moses? 57 We will certainly bring you magic to match it. So appoint a time between us and you, in an open space, which neither we nor you will fail to keep." 58 Answered [Moses]: "Your tryst shall be the day of the Festival; and let the people assemble when the sun is risen high." 59 So Pharaoh withdrew, devised his stratagem and returned. 60 Moses said to them, "Woe to you! Do not invent lies against God, lest He destroy you by some calamity: whoever invents lies is bound to fail." 61 They disputed upon their plan with one another, and spoke in secret 62 They said: verily these two are magicians, intending to drive you forth from your land by their magic and to do away with your superior way. 63 So resolve upon your plan and then come [forward] in line. And he has succeeded today who overcomes." 64 Said [the sorcerers]: "O Moses! Either thou throw [thy staff first,] or we shall be the first to throw." 65 He said: Nay! cast down. then lo! their cords and their rods-- it was imaged to him on account of their magic as if they were running. 66 Moses became fearful within himself. 67 We said to him: "Have no fear; for it is you who will prevail. 68 Throw down that [staff] which is in your right hand -- it shall swallow up what they have wrought, for what they have wrought is only a magician's trick. A magician shall never thrive, come whence he may. 69 The magicians then prostrated themselves. They said, "We believe in the Lord of Aaron and Moses." 70 [Pharaoh] said, "You believed him before I gave you permission. Indeed, he is your leader who has taught you magic. So I will surely cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will crucify you on the trunks of palm trees, and you will surely know which of us is more severe in [giving] punishment and more enduring." 71 They said, “We shall never prefer you above the clear proofs that have come to us from the One Who has created us – therefore carry out what you want to; only in the life of this world will you be able to!” 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 he who comes to his Lord as a sinner (at Judgment),- for him is Hell: therein shall he neither die nor live. 74 But whoever comes before Him a believer having done good deeds, will be raised to higher stations -- 75 gardens of perpetual bliss, through which running waters flow, therein to abide: for that shall be the recompense of all who attain to purity. 76