The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

104
The Quran 7: 145
other people by [giving you] My messages and speaking to you: hold
on to what I have given you; be one of those who give thanks.’
145 We inscribed everything for him in the Tablets which taught
and explained everything, saying, ‘Hold on to them firmly and urge
your people to hold fast to their excellent teachings. I will show you
the end of those who rebel. 146 I will keep distracted from My signs
those who behave arrogantly on Earth without any right, and who,
even if they see every sign, will not believe in them; they will not take
the way of right guidance if they see it, but will take the way of error
if they see that. This is because they denied Our signs and paid them
no heed: 147 the deeds of those who denied Our signs and the Meeting
of the Hereafter will come to nothing – why should they be
repaid for anything other than what they have done?’
148 In his absence, Moses’ people took to worshipping a mere shape
that made sounds like a cow – a calf made from their jewellery.
Could they not see that it did not speak to them or guide them in any
way? Yet they took it for worship: they were evildoers. 149 When, with
much wringing of hands, they perceived that they were doing wrong,
they said, ‘If our Lord does not have mercy and forgive us, we shall
be the losers.’ 150 On his return to his people, angry and aggrieved,
Moses said, ‘How foul and evil is what you have done in my absence!
Were you so keen to bring your Lord’s judgement forward?’ He
threw the tablets down and seized his brother by the hair, pulling
him towards him. Aaron said, ‘Son of my mother, these people overpowered
me! They almost killed me! Do not give my enemies reason
to rejoice! Do not include me with these evildoers!’ 151 Moses said,
‘My Lord, forgive me and my brother; accept us into Your mercy:
You are the Most Merciful of all who show mercy. 152 Those who
took to worshipping the calf will be afflicted by their Lord’s wrath,
and by disgrace in this life.’ This is the way We repay those who
invent such falsehoods, 153 but your Lord is most forgiving and most
merciful towards those who do wrong, then repent afterwards and
truly believe.
154 When Moses’ anger abated, he picked up the Tablets, on
which were inscribed guidance and mercy for those who stood in awe
of their Lord. 155 Moses chose from his people seventy men for Our
appointment, and when they were seized by trembling, he prayed,
‘My Lord, if You had chosen to do so, You could have destroyed
them long before this, and me too, so will You now destroy us for