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 Yet when he brought forth Clear Signs from Us, then lo, they burst into laughter. 47 And all the signs We showed them were always greater than the earlier ones; and We seized them with calamities, so that they may return. 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 But when We removed from them the affliction, at once they broke their word. 50 And Fir'aun (Pharaoh) proclaimed among his people, saying: "O my people! Is not mine the dominion of Egypt, and these rivers flowing underneath me. See you not then? 51 Am I not better than this contemptible man who can hardly make his meaning clear: 52 Why have bracelets of gold not been given to him and why have some angels not accompanied him?" 53 So when he had brainwashed his people, they followed him; indeed they were a disobedient nation. 54 So when they incurred Our wrath, We exacted retribution from them, and drowned them all, 55 and made them a thing of the past and an example for those who would come after them. 56