And when thy Lord called to Moses, 'Go to the people of the evildoers, 10 The people of Pharaoh. Will they not fear and take heed?" 11 'My Lord' he replied, 'I fear they will belie me 12 I feel nervous and my tongue is not fluent, so send Aaron with me. 13 And they have a crime against me, so I fear that they shall slay me. 14 God said, "Indeed not; go both of you with Our signs, We shall be with you, listening [to your call]. 15 They came to the Pharaoh and said, "We are the Messengers of the Lord of the Universe. 16 let the Children of Israel go with us!'" 17 The Pharaoh said, "Did we not bring you up in our home as an infant and did you not live with us for many years 18 Yet you were ungrateful and have done the deed you did' 19 Musa (Moses) said: "I did it then, when I was an ignorant (as regards my Lord and His Message). 20 I fled from you because I feared you. But my Lord has given me judgment and made me one of the Messengers. 21 And this is the favour with which you taunt me -- that you have enslaved the Children of Israel?" 22 Pharaoh said, "What is this: Lord of the Universe?" 23 'He' (Moses) replied: 'is the Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, if you believe' 24 Said he to those about him, 'Do you not hear?' 25 He said: your Lord and the Lord of your ancient fathers. 26 (Pharaoh) said: "Truly your messenger who has been sent to you is a veritable madman!" 27 [But Moses] went on: "[He of whom I speak is] the Sustainer of the east and the west and of all that is between the two - as you would know]" if you would but use your reason!" 28 Pharaoh said: "If you take any god other than me, I will certainly make you one of those (who are rotting) in prison." 29 and Moses asked, "Even if I show you a clear sign?" 30 Pharaoh said: "Then bring it if you are truthful at all." 31 (No sooner had he said this than) Moses threw down his rod and behold, it was a veritable serpent, 32 And he drew forth his hand, and lo, it looked white to the beholders. 33