۞ Thereof We created you, and thereunto We return you, and thence We bring you forth a second time. 55 So We showed him all Our signs, but he denied them and refused, 56 He said: art thou come unto us that thou mayest drive us out of our land by thy magic, O Musa! 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 Moses said, "The day of the encounter will be the day of the festival, and let the people assemble when the sun has risen high." 59 So Firon turned his back and settled his plan, then came. 60 and Moses said to them, 'O beware! Forge not a lie against God, lest He destroy you with a chastisement. Whoso forges has ever failed.' 61 Thereupon they wrangled among themselves about the matter and conferred in secret. 62 They said: "These two are certainly (expert) magicians: their object is to drive you out from your land with their magic, and to do away with your most cherished institutions. 63 So gather your guile; then come in battle-line. Whoever today gains the upper hand shall surely prosper. 64 They said, “O Moosa, either you throw first – or shall we throw first?” 65 He said, "Rather, you throw." And suddenly their ropes and staffs seemed to him from their magic that they were moving [like snakes]. 66 So Moses conceived in his mind a (sort of) fear. 67 We told him, "Do not be afraid for you will be the winner. 68 Throw that which is in thy right hand! It will eat up that which they have made. Lo! that which they have made is but a wizard's artifice, and a wizard shall not be successful to whatever point (of skill) he may attain. 69 The magicians then prostrated themselves. They said, "We believe in the Lord of Aaron and 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 The magicians answered: "By Him Who has created us, we shall never prefer you to the Truth after manifest Signs have come to us. So decree whatever you will. Your decree will pertain, at the most, to the present life of the world. 72 “Indeed we have accepted faith in our Lord, so that He may forgive us our sins and the magic which you forced us to perform; and Allah is Better, and the Most Lasting.” 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 But whoso cometh unto Him a believer, having done good works, for such are the high stations; 75 living for ever in the Gardens of Eden, underneath which rivers flow. Such shall be the recompense of he who purifies himself. 76