The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

26: 50
The Poets 233
misguided when I did it 21 and I fled from you in fear; later my Lord
gave me wisdom and made me one of His messengers. 22 And is
this – that you have enslaved the Children of Israel – the favour with
which you reproach me?’
23 Pharaoh asked, ‘What is this “Lord of the Worlds”?’ 24 Moses
replied, ‘He is the Lord of the heavens and earth and everything
between them. If you would only have faith!’ 25 Pharaoh said to those
present, ‘Do you hear what he says?’ 26 Moses said, ‘He is your Lord
and the Lord of your forefathers.’ 27 Pharaoh said, ‘This messenger
who has been sent to you is truly possessed.’ 28 Moses continued,
‘Lord of the East and West and everything between them. If you
would only use your reason!’ 29 But Pharaoh said [to him], ‘If you
take any god other than me, I will throw you into prison,’ 30 and
Moses asked, ‘Even if I show you something convincing?’ 31 ‘Show it
then,’ said Pharaoh, ‘if you are telling the truth.’ 32 So Moses threw
down his staff and – lo and behold! – it became a snake for everyone
to see. 33 Then he drew out his hand and – lo and behold! – it was
white for the onlookers to see. 34 Pharaoh said to the counsellors
around him, ‘This man is a learned sorcerer! 35 He means to use his
sorcery to drive you out of your land! What do you suggest?’ 36 They
answered, ‘Delay him and his brother for a while, and send messengers
to all the cities 37 to bring every accomplished sorcerer to you.’
38 The sorcerers were [to be] assembled at the appointed time on a
certain day 39 and the people were asked, 40 ‘Are you all coming? We
may follow the sorcerers if they win!’
41 When the sorcerers came, they said to Pharaoh, ‘Shall we be
rewarded if we win?’ 42 and he said, ‘Yes, and you will join my inner
court.’ 43 Moses said to them, ‘Throw down whatever you will.’
44 They threw their ropes and staffs, saying, ‘By Pharaoh’s might, we
shall be victorious.’ 45 But Moses threw his staff and – lo and
behold! – it swallowed up their trickery 46 and the sorcerers fell down
on their knees, 47 exclaiming, ‘We believe in the Lord of the Worlds,
48 the Lord of Moses and Aaron.’ 49 Pharaoh said, ‘How dare you
believe in him before I have given you permission? He must be the
master who taught you sorcery! Soon you will see: I will cut off your
alternate hands and feet a and then crucify the lot of you!’ 50 ‘That
will do us no harm,’ they said, ‘for we are sure to return to our
a See note to 5: 33.