٦١

Moses warned the magicians, “Woe to you! Do not fabricate a lie against Allah,1 or He will wipe you out with a torment. Whoever fabricates ˹lies˺ is bound to fail.”

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

٦٢
So the magicians disputed the matter among themselves, conversing privately.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

٦٣
They concluded, “These two are only magicians who want to drive you out of your land with their magic, and do away with your most cherished traditions.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

٦٤
So orchestrate your plan, then come forward in ˹perfect˺ ranks. And whoever prevails today will certainly be successful.”

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

٦٥
They said, “O Moses! Either you cast, or let us be the first to cast.”

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

٦٦
Moses responded, “No, you go first.” And suddenly their ropes and staffs appeared to him—by their magic—to be slithering.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

٦٧
So Moses concealed fear within himself.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

٦٨
We reassured ˹him˺, “Do not fear! It is certainly you who will prevail.

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

٦٩
Cast what is in your right hand, and it will swallow up what they have made, for what they have made is no more than a magic trick. And magicians can never succeed wherever they go.”

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

٧٠
So the magicians fell down in prostration, declaring, “We believe in the Lord of Aaron and Moses.”

Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

Notes placeholders