۞ Thereof We created you, and thereunto We return you, and thence We bring you forth a second time. 55 AND, INDEED, We made Pharaoh aware of all Our messages - but he gave them the lie and refused [to heed them]. 56 He said: 'Moses, have you come to drive us from our land with your sorcery? 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 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 Musa said unto them: woe unto you! fabricate not against Allah a lie, lest he extirpate you with a torment, and surely He who fabricateth, loseth. 61 So they debated among themselves as to what to do; but they kept their counsel secret, 62 They said: Lo! these are two wizards who would drive you out from your country by their magic, and destroy your best traditions; 63 So muster all your stratagem and come forth in a row. Whoever prevails today shall triumph." 64 They said: O Musa! will you cast, or shall we be the first who cast down? 65 Moses said, "You throw down first." Suddenly their ropes and staffs appeared to him, by their magic, to be moving about rapidly, 66 and in his heart Moses became apprehensive. 67 We said: Fear not! Lo! thou art the higher. 68 And throw what is in your right hand; it will swallow up what they have crafted. What they have crafted is but the trick of a magician, and the magician will not succeed wherever he is." 69 The magicians bowed down in prostration saying, "We believe in the Lord of Moses and Aaron". 70 Said [Pharaoh]: "Have you come to believe in him ere I have given you permission? Verily, he must be your master who has taught you magic! But I shall most certainly cut off your hands and feet in great numbers, because of [your] perverseness, and I shall most certainly crucify you in great numbers on trunks of palm-trees: and [I shall do this] so that you might come to know for certain as to which of us [two] can inflict a more severe chastisement, and [which] is the more abiding!" 71 They (the magicians) said, "We would never prefer you to the miracles that we have seen or to our Creator. Do what you want. This life is only for a short time. 72 we have believed in our Lord so that He may forgive us our sins and forgive us the sorcery that you have forced us to practice. God is the best and the most abiding." 73 Indeed, whoever comes to his Lord as a criminal - indeed, for him is Hell; he will neither die therein nor live. 74 But such as come to Him as Believers who have worked righteous deeds,- for them are ranks exalted,- 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