۞ From it We created you and into it We shall send you back and from it will We raise you a second time. 55 And indeed We showed him all Our signs – so he denied them and did not accept. 56 He said: "Hast thou come to drive us out of our land with thy magic, O Moses? 57 We shall also answer you by magic. Let us make an appointment for a contest among us and let each of us be present at a certain time in the appointed place". 58 Moses said, "The day of the encounter will be the day of the festival, and let the people assemble when the sun has risen high." 59 After this the Pharaoh withdrew and settled his stratagem, then came back. 60 Moses told them, (the magicians) "Woe to you if you invent falsehood against God; you will be destroyed by the torment. Whoever invents falsehood against God will certainly be lost." 61 They disputed upon their plan with one another, and spoke in secret 62 and said, "These two people are magicians. They want to expel you from your land through their magic and to destroy your own tradition. 63 So prepare your strategy and come forward. He alone shall win today who is superior." 64 They said, "Moses, would you be the first to show your skill or should we be the first to throw down our devices?" 65 He said: Nay, do ye throw! Then lo! their cords and their staves, by their magic, appeared to him as though they ran. 66 and in his heart Moses became apprehensive. 67 We said to him: "Fear not. You will certainly be victorious. 68 And cast down what is in your right hand; it shall devour what they have wrought; they have wrought only the plan of a magician, and the magician shall not be successful wheresoever he may come from. 69 And the sorcerers cast themselves down prostrating. 'We believe,' they said, 'in the Lord of Aaron and Moses.' 70 Said [Pharaoh]: "Have you come to believe in him ere I have given you permission? Verily, he must be your master who has taught you magic! But I shall most certainly cut off your hands and feet in great numbers, because of [your] perverseness, and I shall most certainly crucify you in great numbers on trunks of palm-trees: and [I shall do this] so that you might come to know for certain as to which of us [two] can inflict a more severe chastisement, and [which] is the more abiding!" 71 They said, "Never will we prefer you over what has come to us of clear proofs and [over] He who created us. So decree whatever you are to decree. You can only decree for this worldly life. 72 As for us, behold, we have come to believe in our Sustainer, [hoping] that He may forgive us our faults and all that magic unto which thou hast forced us: for God is the best [to look forward to,] and the One who is truly abiding." 73 Verily he who comes to his Lord as a sinner (at Judgment),- for him is Hell: therein shall he neither die nor live. 74 But he who comes to Him with faith and righteous works shall be exalted to high ranks, 75 will be rewarded by high status in the gardens of Eden wherein streams flow. Such will be the reward of those who purify themselves. 76