Page 368 — Ash-Shu'ara

[Moses] said, "I did it, then, while I was of those astray [i.e., ignorant].

So I fled from you when I feared you. Then my Lord granted me judgement [i.e., wisdom and prophethood] and appointed me [as one] of the messengers.

And is this a favor of which you remind me - that you have enslaved the Children of Israel?"

Said Pharaoh, "And what is the Lord of the worlds?"

[Moses] said, "The Lord of the heavens and earth and that between them, if you should be convinced."

[Pharaoh] said to those around him, "Do you not hear?"

[Moses] said, "Your Lord and the Lord of your first forefathers."

[Pharaoh] said, "Indeed, your 'messenger' who has been sent to you is mad."

[Moses] said, "Lord of the east and the west and that between them, if you were to reason."

[Pharaoh] said, "If you take a god other than me, I will surely place you among those imprisoned."

[Moses] said, "Even if I brought you something [i.e., proof] manifest?"

[Pharaoh] said, "Then bring it, if you should be of the truthful."

So [Moses] threw his staff, and suddenly it was a serpent manifest.

And he drew out his hand; thereupon it was white for the observers.

[Pharaoh] said to the eminent ones around him, "Indeed, this is a learned magician.

He wants to drive you out of your land by his magic, so what do you advise?"

They said, "Postpone [the matter of] him and his brother and send among the cities gatherers

Who will bring you every learned, skilled magician."

So the magicians were assembled for the appointment of a well-known day.

And it was said to the people, "Will you congregate