۞ 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 So We showed him (Pharaoh) Our signs, all of them, but he belied and refused them. 56 He said, "Have you come to us to turn us out of our land by means of your magic, Moses? 57 "Then verily, we can produce magic the like thereof; so appoint a meeting between us and you, which neither we, nor you shall fail to keep, in an open wide place where both shall have a just and equal chance (and beholders could witness the competition)." 58 Moses said: "The appointment to meet you is on the Day of the Feast and let all people come together before noon." 59 So Fir'aun (Pharaoh) withdrew, devised his plot and then came back. 60 Moses said to the magicians summoned by Pharaoh, "Woe to you! Do not invent a lie against Allah or He will exterminate you with a punishment; and he has failed who invents [such falsehood]." 61 Then they [the magicians] conferred among themselves, whispering to one another. 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 Gather your guile and then lineup a rank those who gain the upper hand today shall indeed prosper' 64 They said, 'Moses, either thou wilt cast, or we shall be the first to cast.' 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 Moses felt afraid within himself. 67 We said to him: "Have no fear; for it is you who will prevail. 68 "And throw that which is in your right hand! It will swallow up that which they have made. That which they have made is only a magician's trick, and the magician will never be successful, no matter whatever amount (of skill) he may attain." 69 So the magicians were thrown down to prostration: they said, "We believe in the Lord of Aaron and Moses". 70 'Have you believed him before I have given you permission' he (Pharaoh) said. 'Indeed, he (must be) your chief, the one who taught you sorcery. I will cut off on opposite sides a hand and a foot then crucify you on the trunks of palmtrees. Indeed, you shall know whose punishment is more stern, and more lasting' 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 We believe in our Lord that He may forgive us our sins and also forgive us the practice of magic to which you had compelled us. Allah is the Best and He alone will abide." 73 Indeed, he who comes to his Lord a sinner shall be consigned to Hell; he shall neither die therein nor live. 74 One who comes into the presence of his Lord with faith and righteous deeds 75 The gardens of perpetuity, beneath which rivers flow, to abide therein; and this is the reward of him who has purified himself. 76