۞ From the (earth) did We create you, and into it shall We return you, and from it shall We bring you out once again. 55 We showed Pharaoh all Our signs but he rejected them and refused to believe in them. 56 He said, "Have you come to us to drive us out of our land with your magic, O Moses? 57 In that case, we shall most certainly produce before thee the like thereof! Appoint, then, a tryst between us and thee - which we shall not fail to keep, nor [mayest] thou - at a suitable place!" 58 [Musa (Moses)] said: "Your appointed meeting is the day of the festival, and let the people assemble when the sun has risen (forenoon)." 59 So Pharaoh withdrew, devised his stratagem and returned. 60 Moses said to him: Woe to you! Forge not ye a lie against Allah, lest He destroy you (at once) utterly by chastisement: the forger must suffer frustration!" 61 So they debated among themselves as to what to do; but they kept their counsel secret, 62 saying [to one another]: "These two are surely sorcerers intent on driving you from your land by their sorcery, and on doing away with your time-honoured way of life. 63 "So devise your plot, and then assemble in line. And whoever overcomes this day will be indeed successful." 64 They said: "O Moses! whether wilt thou that thou throw (first) or that we be the first to throw?" 65 Moses replied: "No, let it be you to throw first." Then suddenly it appeared to Moses, owing to their magic, as if their ropes and staffs were running. 66 and in his heart Moses became apprehensive, 67 [But] We said: "Fear not! Verily, it is thou who shalt prevail! 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 Pharaoh said, 'Have you believed him before I gave you leave? Why, he is the chief of you, the same that taught you sorcery; I shall assuredly cut off alternately your hands and feet, then I shall crucify you upon the trunks of palm-trees; you shall know of a certainty which of us is more terrible in chastisement, and more abiding.' 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 believed in our Lord that He may forgive us our sins and what you compelled us [to do] of magic. And Allah is better and more enduring." 73 Whosoever comes unto his Lord a sinner, for him awaits Gehenna wherein he shall neither die nor live. 74 But whoso cometh unto Him a believer, having done good works, for such are the high stations; 75 Gardens of Eden with rippling streams, where he will live for ever. This is the recompense of those who achieve integrity. 76