Has it, then, not become obvious unto those who have inherited the earth in the wake of former generations that, if We so willed, We could smite them [too] by means of their sins, sealing their hearts so that they cannot hear [the truth]? 100 Such were the towns whose story We (thus) relate unto thee: There came indeed to them their messengers with clear (signs): But they would not believe what they had rejected before. Thus doth Allah seal up the hearts of those who reject faith. 101 We found no (loyalty to any) covenant in most of them. Nay, most of them We found wrong-doers. 102 Then, after them, We sent Moses with our tokens unto Pharaoh and his chiefs, but they repelled them. Now, see the nature of the consequence for the corrupters! 103 Moses said: "O Pharaoh! I am a messenger from the Lord of the worlds,- 104 (I am) worthy of not saying anything about Allah except the truth: I have come to you indeed with clear proof from your Lord, therefore send with me the children of Israel 105 He said: if thou hast brought a sign, forth with it then, if thou art of the truth-tellers. 106 So Moses threw his staff, and suddenly it was a serpent, manifest. 107 And he drew out his hand; thereupon it was white [with radiance] for the observers. 108