۞ Thereof We created you, and thereunto We return you, and thence We bring you forth a second time. 55 So We showed him (Pharaoh) Our signs, all of them, but he belied and refused them. 56 He said to Moses, "Have you come to expel us from our land through your magic? 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: "Your tryst is the Day of the Festival, and let the people be assembled when the sun is well up." 59 Then Pharaoh went and gathered his strength, then came (to the appointed tryst). 60 and Moses said to them, 'O beware! Forge not a lie against God, lest He destroy you with a chastisement. Whoso forges has ever failed.' 61 So they disputed with one another about their affair and kept the discourse secret. 62 They said: verily these two are magicians, intending to drive you forth from your land by their magic and to do away with your superior way. 63 Hence, [O sorcerers of Egypt,] decide upon the scheme which you will pursue, and then come forward in one single body: for, indeed, he who prevails today shall prosper indeed!" 64 They said, 'Moses, either thou wilt cast, or we shall be the first to cast.' 65 'No,' said Moses. 'Do you cast!' And lo, it seemed to him, by their sorcery, their ropes and their staffs were sliding; 66 Moses became fearful within himself. 67 We (Allah) said: "Fear not! Surely, you will have the upper hand. 68 Throw down what is in your right hand: It will swallow up what they have conjured. For what they have fashioned is only a trick of the sorcerer; and a sorcerer does not succeed wherever he may come." 69 Then the wizards were (all) flung down prostrate, crying: We believe in the Lord of Aaron and Moses. 70 Pharaoh said, "Have you believed in him before I permit you? He must be your master who has taught you magic. I will cut your hands and feet off on opposite sides, and have you crucified on the trunks of palm-trees. You shall know whose punishment is more severe and more lasting." 71 They answered: "Never shall we prefer thee to all the evidence of the truth that has come unto us, nor to Him who has brought us into being! Decree, then, whatever thou art going to decree: thou canst decree only [something that pertains to] 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 The dwelling place of one who comes into the presence of his Lord as a criminal will be hell wherein he will never die nor enjoy his life. 74 But such as come to Him as Believers who have worked righteous deeds,- for them are ranks exalted,- 75 Gardens of Eternity, beneath which flow rivers: they will dwell therein for aye: such is the reward of those who purify themselves (from evil). 76