۞ out of this [earth] have We created you, and into it shall We return you, and out of it shall We bring you forth once again. 55 So We showed Pharaoh all Our signs, but he cried lies, and refused. 56 He said: Hast come to drive us out from our land by thy magic, O Moses? 57 We shall confront you with a sorcery like your own. So appoint a day when both of us might meet face to face in an open space; an appointment which neither we nor you shall fail to keep." 58 (Musa) said: Your appointment is the day of the Festival and let the people be gathered together in the early forenoon. 59 So Pharaoh withdrew and gathered his guile, then returned, 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: "Verily! These are two magicians. Their object is to drive you out from your land with magic, and overcome your chiefs and nobles. 63 Gather your guile and then lineup a rank those who gain the upper hand today shall indeed prosper' 64 They said: "O Moses! whether wilt thou that thou throw (first) or that we be the first to throw?" 65 Moses said, "You throw down first." Suddenly their ropes and staffs appeared to him, by their magic, to be moving about rapidly, 66 So Musa (Moses) conceived a fear in himself. 67 We said: fear not! verily thou! thou shalt be the superior. 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, "You believed him before I gave you permission. Indeed, he is your leader who has taught you magic. So I will surely cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will crucify you on the trunks of palm trees, and you will surely know which of us is more severe in [giving] punishment and more enduring." 71 They answered: "Never shall we prefer thee to all the evidence of the truth that has come unto us, nor to Him who has brought us into being! Decree, then, whatever thou art going to decree: thou canst decree only [something that pertains to] this worldly life! 72 We believe in our Lord so that He forgives us our sins and the sorcery you have forced us to practice. Allah is Better, and Everlasting' 73 Verily he who comes to his Lord as a sinner (at Judgment),- for him is Hell: therein shall he neither die nor live. 74 And the one who presents himself as a believer before Him, having done good deeds – so for them are the high ranks. 75 and shall live for ever in everlasting Gardens beneath which rivers flow. Such will be the reward of those who purify themselves. 76