Does it not guide the people who inherit the land from former people that We can punish them for their sins if We will? And seal up their hearts so that they would not be able to lend an ear to words of guidance? 100 To those [earlier] communities - some of whose stories We relate to you - there had indeed come Messengers with clear proofs, but they would not believe what they had once rejected as false. Thus it is that Allah seals the hearts of those who deny the truth. 101 We did not find most of them true to their covenants; indeed We found most of them to be transgressors. 102 After the time of those people, We sent Moses with Our miracles to Pharaoh and his people, but they too rejected Our miracles. Consider, how terrible the end of the evil-doers is! 103 And Moses said: "O Pharaoh! Verily, I am an apostle from the Sustainer of all the worlds, 104 duty-bound to say nothing about God but the truth, and I have brought you a clear sign from your Lord. Let the Children of Israel go with me." 105 He answered: 'If you have come with a sign, show it to us if you are of the truthful' 106 Then Moses threw down his staff and suddenly, unmistakably, it appeared as a serpent, 107 And he drew out his hand, and behold! it was white (with radiance) for the beholders. 108