58 We too can bring to thee enchantment like it, so make an appointment between us and thee, which we break not, neither) we nor thou, (in) a central place. |
59 (Moses) said: Your appointment is the day of the Festival, and let the people be gathered in the early forenoon. |
60 So Pharaoh went back and settled his plan, then came. |
61 Moses said to them: Woe to you! Forge not a lie against Allāh, lest He destroy you by punishment, and he fails indeed who forges (a lie). |
62 So they disputed one with another about their affair and kept the discourse secret. |
63 They said: These are surely two enchanters who would drive you out from your land by their enchantment, and destroy your excellent institutions. |
64 So settle your plan, then come in ranks, and he will succeed indeed this day who is uppermost. |
65 They said: O Moses, wilt thou cast, or shall we be the first to cast down? |
66 He said: Nay! Cast you down. Then lo! their cords and their rods — it appeared to him by their enchantment as if they ran. |
67 So Moses conceived fear in his mind. |
68 We said: Fear not, surely thou art the uppermost. |
69 And cast down what is in thy right hand — it will eat up what they have wrought. What they have wrought is only the trick of an enchanter, and the enchanter succeeds not wheresoever he comes from. |
70 So the enchanters fell down prostrate, saying: We believe in the Lord of Aaron and Moses. |
71 (Pharaoh) said: You believe in him before I give you leave! Surely he is your chief who taught you enchantment. So I shall cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides and I shall crucify you on the trunks of palm-trees, and you shall certainly know which of us can give the severer and the more abiding chastisement. |