۞ Thereof We created you, and thereunto We return you, and thence We bring you forth a second time. 55 We showed the Pharaoh all of Our miracles, but he called them lies and turned away from them. 56 He said: Hast come to drive us out from our land by thy magic, O Moses? 57 We will certainly bring you magic to match it. So appoint a time between us and you, in an open space, which neither we nor you will fail to keep." 58 'Your tryst shall be upon the Feast Day.' said Moses. 'Let the people be mustered at the high noon.' 59 Then Firawn turned away, devised his stratagem; thereafter he came. 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 They disputed upon their plan with one another, and spoke in 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 Wherefore devise your stratagem, and then come in a row; and prospered today is he who overcometh. 64 They said to Moses: 'Will you throw down or shall we be the first? 65 He said, “Rather, you may throw”; thereupon their cords and their staves, by the strength of their magic, appeared to him as if they were (serpents) moving fast. 66 So Musa conceived in his mind a fear. 67 We said to him: "Fear not. You will certainly be victorious. 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 So the magicians fell down prostrate. They said: "We believe in the Lord of Harun (Aaron) and Musa (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 "Verily! We have believed in our Lord, that He may forgive us our faults, and the magic to which you did compel us. And Allah is better as regards reward in comparison to your [Fir'aun's (Pharaoh)] reward, and more lasting (as regards punishment in comparison to your punishment)." 73 Surely for him who comes before his Lord a sinner shall be Hell, where he will neither die nor live. 74 But such as come to Him as Believers who have worked righteous deeds,- for them are ranks exalted,- 75 Gardens of perpetual residence beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally. And that is the reward of one who purifies himself. 76