Indeed We sent Moses with Our Signs to Pharaoh and his nobles. He told them: “I am a Messenger of the Lord of the Universe.” 46 But as soon as he came before them with Our [miraculous] signs, lo! they derided them, 47 Of all the miracles which We showed to them the latter ones were greater than the former. We struck them with torment so that perhaps they would return to Us. 48 And they said: O wizard! Entreat thy Lord for us by the pact that He hath made with thee. Lo! we verily will walk aright. 49 So when We averted the calamity from them, they immediately broke the promise! 50 And Pharaoh called out among his people; he said, "O my people, does not the kingdom of Egypt belong to me, and these rivers flowing beneath me; then do you not see? 51 Nay! I am better than this fellow, who is contemptible, and who can hardly speak distinctly: 52 Why were bracelets of gold not bestowed upon him? Why did a retinue of angels not accompany him as attendants?” 53 In this way he fooled his people and they obeyed him: they were a rebellious people. 54 But when they roused Our anger We inflicted retributive punishment and drowned them all, 55 And We made them a precedent and an example for the later peoples. 56