۞ We have created you from the earth to which We will return you and will bring you back to life again. 55 And truly We showed him Our signs, all of them, but he rejected and refused. 56 He said, "Have you come to us to drive us out of our land with your magic, O Moses? 57 We shall certainly meet you with like magic. So make an appointment when we and you could meet on common ground, which neither we nor you should fail to keep." 58 [Moses] said, "Your appointment is on the day of the festival when the people assemble at mid-morning." 59 So Firaun went away and gathered his schemes,* then came. (* 72000 magicians and their materials.) 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 So they differed with one another in their task, and secretly conferred. 62 Some of them said: "These two are magicians, who want to drive you out of your land with their magic and to destroy your excellent way of life. 63 Wherefore devise your stratagem, and then come in a row; and prospered today is he who overcometh. 64 They said, "Moses, will you throw down first, or shall we be the first to throw down?" 65 He answered: "Nay, you throw [first]." And lo! by virtue of their sorcery, their [magic] ropes and staffs seemed to him to be moving rapidly: 66 So Musa conceived in his mind a fear. 67 We said, “Do not fear – it is you who is dominant.” 68 Throw down what is in your right hand and it will swallow up all that they have performed; theirs is only a magical performance. Magicians can find no happiness in whatever they do." 69 So the magicians fell down prostrate. They said: "We believe in the Lord of Harun (Aaron) and Musa (Moses)." 70 Said Firaun, “You accepted faith in him before I permitted you! He is indeed your leader who taught you magic; I therefore swear, I will cut off your hands and your legs from alternate sides, and crucify you on the trunks of palm-trees, and you will surely come to know among us two, 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 We believe in our Lord that He may forgive us our sins and also forgive us the practice of magic to which you had compelled us. Allah is the Best and He alone will abide." 73 The truth is that Hell awaits him who comes to his Lord laden with sin; he shall neither die in it nor live. 74 One who comes into the presence of his Lord with faith and righteous deeds 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