Indeed We sent Moses with Our Signs to Pharaoh and his nobles. He told them: “I am a Messenger of the Lord of the Universe.” 46 But as soon as he came before them with Our [miraculous] signs, lo! they derided them, 47 And We did not show them a sign but it was greater than its like, and We overtook them with chastisement that they may turn. 48 And [every time] they exclaimed: "O thou sorcerer! Pray for us to thy Sustainer on the strength of the covenant [of prophethood] which He has made with thee: for, verily, we shall now follow the right way!" 49 But lo, each time We removed Our affliction from them, they would go back on their word. 50 Then Pharaoh made a proclamation to his people: 'My people, is the kingdom of Egypt not mine and these rivers which flow beneath me? What, can you not see? 51 Am I not better than this lowly man who can barely express himself? 52 But why have not bracelets of gold been put upon him, or why have there not come with him angels as companions? 53 He (Pharaoh) intimidated his nation, so they obeyed him, for they were a sinning nation. 54 So when they incurred Our wrath, We exacted retribution from them, and drowned them all, 55 We made them a precedent, an example for later peoples. 56