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 brought them Our tokens, behold! 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 magician! call on your Lord for our sake, as He has made the covenant with you; we shall surely be the followers of the right way. 49 But lo, each time We removed Our affliction from them, they would go back on their word. 50 The Pharaoh shouted to his people, "My people, is the kingdom of Egypt not mine? and can you not see that the streams flow from beneath my palace? 51 Nay! I am better than this fellow, who is contemptible, and who can hardly speak distinctly: 52 "Then why are not gold bracelets bestowed on him, or (why) come (not) with him angels accompanying him in procession?" 53 So he incited his people to levity and they obeyed him: surely they were a transgressing people. 54 But when they roused Our anger We inflicted retributive punishment and drowned them all, 55 And made them a precedent and example for posterity. 56