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 when he brought them Our tokens, behold! they laughed at them. 47 And We showed them not a sign except that it was greater than its sister, and We seized them with affliction that perhaps they might return [to faith]. 48 And they said, 'Sorcerer, pray to thy Lord for us by the covenant He has made with thee, and surely we shall be right-guided.' 49 But when We removed the Penalty from them, behold, they broke their word. 50 Pharaoh called to his people, "My people, is the Kingdom of Egypt not mine? And these rivers that flow at my feet, are they not mine? Do you not see? 51 Or am I better than this man, who is contemptible and scarcely makes things clear? 52 Why were then no bracelets of gold shed upon him from above, or angels sent down as a retinue with him?" 53 He (Pharaoh) intimidated his nation, so they obeyed him, for they were a sinning nation. 54 But when they continued to challenge Us, We inflicted Our retribution on them, and drowned them all: 55 And We made them a precedent and an example for the later peoples. 56