And (remember) when your Lord called Musa (Moses) (saying): "Go to the people who are Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doing), 10 The folk of Pharaoh. Will they not ward off (evil)? 11 He said: "My Lord! I fear that they will brand me a liar. 12 And that my breast will tighten and my tongue will not be fluent, so send for Aaron. 13 "And (further), they have a charge of crime against me; and I fear they may slay me." 14 He said: By no means, so go you both with Our signs; surely We are with you, hearing; 15 So go ye twain unto Fir'awn and say: verily we are the apostles of the Lord of the Worlds, 16 That you should send the children of Israel with us.' 17 Pharaoh said: "Did we not bring you up among us when you were a child? 18 Yet you committed the deed you did, surely you are one of the ingrates." 19 (Moses) replied: "I did do that and I was in the wrong, 20 "So I fled from you (all) when I feared you; but my Lord has (since) invested me with judgment (and wisdom) and appointed me as one of the messengers. 21 And this is the favour with which you taunt me -- that you have enslaved the Children of Israel?" 22 Pharaoh said: "And what is the 'Lord and Cherisher of the worlds'?" 23 [Moses] answered: "[He is] the Sustainer of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them: if you would but [allow yourselves to] be convinced!" 24 (Pharaoh) said to those around: "Did ye not listen (to what he says)?" 25 (Moses continued): "Your Lord and the Lord of your fathers before you." 26 (Pharaoh) said: 'Surely, the Messenger who has been sent to you is mad!' 27 Moses said, "He is the Lord of the East and the West, and all that lies between them, if only you could understand." 28 Fir'aun (Pharaoh) said: "If you choose an ilah (god) other than me, I will certainly put you among the prisoners." 29 Moses asked, "What if I were to bring you clear proof (of the existence of God)?" 30 Fir'awn said: forth with it then, if thou art of the truth-tellers. 31 So (Moses) cast his staff, and lo, it turned into a living serpent. 32 And he drew out his hand, and behold, it was white to all beholders! 33