We sent Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh and his nobles. He said, "I am the messenger of the Lord of the Universe," 46 But when he came to them with Our signs, lo! they laughed at them. 47 even though each sign We showed them was greater than the previous one. We afflicted them with torment so that they might return [to the right path]. 48 And they said: O wizard! Entreat thy Lord for us by the pact that He hath made with thee. Lo! we verily will walk aright. 49 But when We removed from them the chastisement, behold, they broke their troth. 50 And Fir'aun (Pharaoh) proclaimed among his people, saying: "O my people! Is not mine the dominion of Egypt, and these rivers flowing underneath me. See you not then? 51 Am I (not) better than him who is contemptible, and cannot even express himself clearly? 52 and why have not armlets of gold been bestowed on him and why is there not a train of angels accompanying him?" 53 Thus he incited his people to levity, and they obeyed him: for, behold, they were people depraved! 54 So when they incurred Our wrath, We exacted retribution from them, and drowned them all, 55 And We made them a precedent and example to the later generations. 56