۞ Have they not travelled on the earth that they could see what happened to those before them? They were greater in strength than they, and have left behind them traces on the earth. Yet they were seized by God for their sins, and had none to protect them against God. 21 That was because there came to them their apostles with clear arguments, but they rejected (them), therefore Allah destroyed them; surely He is Strong, Severe in retribution. 22 And We did certainly send Moses with Our signs and a clear authority 23 unto Pharaoh, and Haman, and Qarun; but they [only] said, "A spellbinder is he, a liar!" 24 Now [as for Pharaoh and his followers,] when he came to them, setting forth the truth from Us, they said, "Slay the sons of those who share his beliefs, and spare [only] their women!" - but the guile of those deniers of the truth could not lead to aught but failure. 25 And Pharaoh said: Suffer me to kill Moses, and let him cry unto his Lord. Lo! I fear that he will alter your religion or that he will cause confusion in the land. 26 And Moses said, 'I take refuge in my Lord and your Lord from every man who is proud, and believes not in the Day of Reckoning.' 27