Quran — Page 369

so that we might follow [in the footsteps of] the sorcerers if it is they who prevail?”

Now when the sorcerers came, they said unto Pharaoh: “Verily, we ought to have a great reward if it is we who prevail.

Answered he: “Yea - and, verily, in that case you shall be among those who are near unto me.

[And] Moses said unto them: “Throw whatever you are going to throw!”

Thereupon they threw their [magic ropes and their staffs, and said: “By Pharaoh’s might, behold, it is we indeed who have prevailed!”

[But] then Moses threw his staff - and lo! it swallowed up all their deceptions.

And down fell the sorcerers, prostrating them­selves in adoration,

[and] exclaimed: “We have come to believe in the Sustainer of all the worlds,

the Sustainer of Moses and Aaron!”

Said [Pharaoh]: “Have you come to believe in him ere I have given you permission? Verily, he must be your master who has taught you magic! But in time you shall come to know [my revenge]: most certainly shall I cut off your hands and your feet in great numbers, because of [your] perverseness, and shall most certainly crucify you in great numbers, all together!”

They answered: “No harm [canst thou do to us]: verily, unto our Sustainer do we turn!

Behold, we [but] ardently desire that our Sustainer forgive us our faults in return for our having been foremost among the believers!”

AND [there came a time when] We inspired Moses thus: “Go forth with My servants by night: for, behold, you will he pursued!”

And Pharaoh sent heralds unto all cities,

[bidding them to call out his troops and to proclaim:] “Behold, these [children of Israel] are but a contemptible band;

but they are indeed filled with hatred of us

seeing that we are, verily, a nation united, fully prepared against danger –

and so we have [rightly] driven them out of [their] gardens and springs,

and [deprived them of their erstwhile] station of honour!”

Thus it was: but [in the course of time] We were to bestow all these [things] as a heritage on the children of Israel.

And so [the Egyptians] caught up with them at sunrise;