۞ From the earth We have created you and We will return you to it, and from it We shall bring you forth a second time. 55 And We verily did show him all Our tokens, 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 shall also answer you by magic. Let us make an appointment for a contest among us and let each of us be present at a certain time in the appointed place". 58 Said (Moses): "Let your meeting be on the day of the Feast, and let people assemble in broad daylight." 59 Then Firawn turned away, devised his stratagem; thereafter he came. 60 Moses told them, (the magicians) "Woe to you if you invent falsehood against God; you will be destroyed by the torment. Whoever invents falsehood against God will certainly be lost." 61 They disputed upon their plan with one another, and spoke in secret 62 They said: verily these two are magicians, intending to drive you forth from your land by their magic and to do away with your superior way. 63 So gather your guile; then come in battle-line. Whoever today gains the upper hand shall surely prosper. 64 They said, "Moses, will you throw down first, or shall we be the first to throw down?" 65 Moses said, "You throw first." When they did, their ropes and staffs through their magic seemed to be moving. 66 And Moses felt afraid within himself. 67 We told him, "Do not be afraid for you will be the winner. 68 Throw that which is in your right hand. It will swallow up that which they have made, for that which they made is but the guile of a sorcerer. Wherever he goes the sorcerer does not prosper' 69 [And so it happened and down fell the sorcerers, prostrating themselves in adoration, [and] exclaimed: "We have come to believe in the Sustainer of Moses and Aaron!" 70 Pharaoh said: "What! Did you believe in Him even before I permitted you to do so? Surely, he must be your chief who taught you magic. Now I will certainly cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and will crucify you on the trunks of palm-trees, and then you will come to know which of us can inflict sterner and more lasting torment." 71 They said: "Never shall we regard thee as more than the Clear Signs that have come to us, or than Him Who created us! so decree whatever thou desirest to decree: for thou canst only decree (touching) the life of this world. 72 As for us, behold, we have come to believe in our Sustainer, [hoping] that He may forgive us our faults and all that magic unto which thou hast forced us: for God is the best [to look forward to,] and the One who is truly abiding." 73 Whoever comes to his Lord (being) guilty, for him is surely hell; he shall not die therein, nor shall he live. 74 One who comes into the presence of his Lord with faith and righteous deeds 75 will be rewarded by high status in the gardens of Eden wherein streams flow. Such will be the reward of those who purify themselves. 76