Indeed We sent Moses with Our Signs to Pharaoh and his nobles. He told them: “I am a Messenger of the Lord of the Universe.” 46 But as soon as he came before them with Our [miraculous] signs, lo! they derided them, 47 even though each sign We showed them was greater than the previous one. We afflicted them with torment so that they might return [to the right path]. 48 And they said: O magician! call on your Lord for our sake, as He has made the covenant with you; we shall surely be the followers of the right way. 49 Yet no sooner did We take away the affliction from them than they broke their pledge. 50 And Pharaoh proclaimed among his people, saying: "O my people! Does not the dominion of Egypt belong to me, (witness) these streams flowing underneath my (palace)? What! see ye not then? 51 Am I not better than this contemptible man who can hardly make his meaning clear? 52 Then why have there not been placed upon him bracelets of gold or come with him the angels in conjunction?" 53 He (Pharaoh) intimidated his nation, so they obeyed him, for they were a sinning nation. 54 So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all. 55 and so We made them a thing of the past, and an example to those who would come after them. 56