We sent Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh and his Council, and he said: 'I am the Messenger of the Lord of the Worlds' 46 When he showed them Our miracles, they started to laugh at them. 47 Of all the miracles which We showed to them the latter ones were greater than the former. We struck them with torment so that perhaps they would return to Us. 48 And they said [to Musa (Moses)]: "O you sorcerer! Invoke your Lord for us according to what He has covenanted with you. Verily, We shall guide ourselves (aright)." 49 But when We eased them of the torment, behold! they broke their word. 50 And Pharaoh proclaimed among his people: 'O my people, do I not possess the kingdom of Egypt, and these rivers flowing beneath me? What, do you not see? 51 Or am I better than this man, who is contemptible and scarcely makes things clear? 52 "And then - why have no golden armlets been bestowed on him? or why have no angels come together with him?" 53 In this way he fooled his people and they obeyed him: they were a rebellious people. 54 But when they continued to challenge Us, We inflicted Our retribution on them, and drowned them all: 55 We made them a precedent, an example for later peoples. 56