AND, INDEED, [a time came when] We thus inspired Moses: "Go forth with My servants by night, and strike out for them a dry path through the sea; [and] fear not of being overtaken, and dread not [the sea]." 77 Then Fir'awn followed them with his hosts; and there came upon them of the sea that which came upon them. 78 And Fir'aun (Pharaoh) led his people astray, and he did not guide them. 79 O Children of Israel! We delivered you from your enemy, and we made a covenant with you on the holy mountain's side, and sent down on you the manna and the quails, 80 'Eat of the good things wherewith We have provided you; but exceed not therein, or My anger shall alight on you; and on whomsoever My anger alights, that man is hurled to ruin. 81 "But, without doubt, I am (also) He that forgives again and again, to those who repent, believe, and do right, who,- in fine, are ready to receive true guidance." 82 ۞ The Lord asked, "Moses, what made you attend your appointment with Me before your people?" 83 He said: They are close upon my track. I hastened unto Thee, my Lord, that Thou mightest be well pleased. 84 He (Allah) said: 'We tempted your nation in your absence, and the Samaritan has misled them into error' 85 Then Moses went back unto his folk, angry and sad. He said: O my people! Hath not your Lord promised you a fair promise? Did the time appointed then appear too long for you, or did ye wish that wrath from your Lord should come upon you, that ye broke tryst with me? 86 They said: "We broke not the promise to you, of our own will, but we were made to carry the weight of the ornaments of the [Fir'aun's (Pharaoh)] people, then we cast them (into the fire), and that was what As-Samiri suggested." 87 But then, [so they told Moses, the Samaritan] had produced for them [out of the molten gold] the effigy of a calf, which made a lowing sound; and thereupon they said [to one another,] "This is your deity, and the deity of Moses - but he has forgotten [his past] 88 Observed they not that it returned not unto them a word, and owned not for them hurt or profit? 89