We also sent Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh and his Council, and he said, 'Surely, I am the Messenger of the Lord of all Being.' 46 But when he showed them Our signs they laughed at them, 47 although each sign that We showed them was weightier than the preceding one: and [each time] We took them to task through suffering, so that they might return [to Us]. 48 And [every time] they exclaimed: "O thou sorcerer! Pray for us to thy Sustainer on the strength of the covenant [of prophethood] which He has made with thee: for, verily, we shall now follow the right way!" 49 But lo, each time We removed Our affliction from them, they would go back on their word. 50 The Pharaoh shouted to his people, "My people, is the kingdom of Egypt not mine? and can you not see that the streams flow from beneath my palace? 51 "Am I not better than this (Moses), who is a contemptible wretch and can scarcely express himself clearly? 52 Why were then no bracelets of gold shed upon him from above, or angels sent down as a retinue with him?" 53 Thus he persuaded his people to make light (of Moses), and they obeyed him. Lo! they were a wanton folk. 54 But when they continued to challenge Us, We inflicted Our retribution on them, and drowned them all: 55 And We made them a thing past, and an example for those after (them). 56