۞ Out of the earth We created you, and We shall restore you into it, and bring you forth from it a second time.' 55 So We showed him (Pharaoh) Our signs, all of them, but he belied and refused them. 56 He said: "Hast thou come to drive us out of our land by thy sorcery, O Moses? 57 We shall confront you with a sorcery like your own. So appoint a day when both of us might meet face to face in an open space; an appointment which neither we nor you shall fail to keep." 58 Moses said, "Let the contest take place on the Day of Feast so that all the people can come together during the brightness of the day." 59 So Firaun went away and gathered his schemes,* then came. (* 72000 magicians and their materials.) 60 and Moses said to them: 'Alas! Do not forge a lie against Allah lest He destroys you with a punishment. Indeed, whosoever forges has failed' 61 Then they debated with one another what they must do, and they kept their talk secret. 62 They said: Lo! these are two wizards who would drive you out from your country by their magic, and destroy your best traditions; 63 So arrange your plan, and come in battle line. Whoso is uppermost this day will be indeed successful. 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 So Moses conceived in his mind a (sort of) fear. 67 But We said to him: 'Do not be afraid; you shall surely be the uppermost. 68 Throw that which is in your right hand. It will swallow up that which they have made, for that which they made is but the guile of a sorcerer. Wherever he goes the sorcerer does not prosper' 69 Thereafter the sorcerers threw themselves down, prostrating, saying: 'We believe in the Lord of Aaron and Moses' 70 [Pharaoh] said, "You believed him before I gave you permission. Indeed, he is your leader who has taught you magic. So I will surely cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will crucify you on the trunks of palm trees, and you will surely know which of us is more severe in [giving] punishment and more enduring." 71 They said, 'We will not prefer thee over the clear signs that have come to us, nor over Him who originated us. Decide then what thou wilt decide; thou canst only decide touching this present 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 Gehenna (Hell) awaits whosoever comes before his Lord as a sinner, there he shall neither die nor live. 74 One who comes into the presence of his Lord with faith and righteous deeds 75 Gardens of perpetual residence beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally. And that is the reward of one who purifies himself. 76