Thereupon a shocking catastrophe seized them, and they remained prostrate in their dwellings.

Those who had charged Shu'ayb with lying became as though-they had never lived there; it is they who became utter losers.

Shu'ayb then departed from his people, and said: 'O my people! Surely I conveyed to you the message of my Lord, and gave you sincere advice. How, then, can I mourn for a people who refuse to accept the truth?'

Never have We sent a Prophet to a place without trying its people with adversity and hardship that they may humble themselves.

Then We changed adversity into ease until they throve and said: 'Our forefathers had also seen both adversity and prosperity.' So We suddenly seized them without their even perceiving it.

Had the people of those towns believed and been God-fearing, We would certainly have opened up to them blessings from the heavens and the earth; but they gave the lie [to their Prophets] and so We seized them for their deeds. so.

Do the people of those towns feel secure that Our punishment will not come to them at night while they are asleep?

Or, do the people of those towns feel secure that Our punishment will not come to them by daylight while they are at play?

Do they feel secure against the design of Allah None can feel secure against the design of Allah except the utter losers.

Has it not, then, become plain to those who have inherited the earth in the wake of the former generations that, had We so willed, We could have afflicted them for their sins, (they, however, are heedless to basic facts and so) We seal their hearts so that they hear nothing.

To those [earlier] communities - some of whose stories We relate to you - there had indeed come Messengers with clear proofs, but they would not believe what they had once rejected as false. Thus it is that Allah seals the hearts of those who deny the truth.

We did not find most of them true to their covenants; indeed We found most of them to he transgressors.

After those We sent forth Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh and his nobles, but they dealt with Our signs unjustly. Observe, then, what happened to the mischief-makers.

And Moses said: 'O Pharaoh! I am a Messenger from the Lord of the universe.

And it behoves me to say nothing about Allah except what is true. I have come to you with a clear sign of having been sent from your Lord. So let the Children of Israel go with me.'

Pharaoh said: if you have brought a sign, then bring it forth if you are truthful.'

Thereupon Moses threw his rod, and suddenly it was a veritable serpent.

Then he drew out his hand, and it appeared luminous to all beholders.

The elders of Pharaoh's people said: 'Surely this man is a skilful magician

who seeks to drive you out from your land. What would you have us do?'

Then they advised Pharaoh: 'Put off Moses and his brother for a while, and send forth heralds to your cities

to summon every skilful magician to your presence.'

And the magicians came to Pharaoh and said: 'Shall we have a reward if we win?'

Pharaoh replied: 'Certainly, and you shall be among those who are near to me.'

Then they said: 'O Moses, will you [first] throw your rod, or shall we throw?'

Moses said: 'You throw.' So when they threw [their rods], they enchanted the eyes of the people, and struck them with awe, and produced a mighty sorcery.

Then We directed Moses: 'Now you throw your rod.' And lo! it swallowed up all their false devices.

Thus was the truth established, and their doings proved in vain.

Pharaoh and his men were defeated and put to shame,

and the magicians flung themselves prostrate,