قَالَ أَوَلَوۡ جِئۡتُكَ بِشَيۡءٖ مُّبِينٖ
and Moses asked, ‘Even if I show you something convincing?’
قَالَ فَأۡتِ بِهِۦٓ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ
‘Show it then,’ said Pharaoh, ‘if you are telling the truth.’
فَأَلۡقَىٰ عَصَاهُ فَإِذَا هِيَ ثُعۡبَانٞ مُّبِينٞ
So Moses threw down his staff and- lo and behold!- it became a snake for everyone to see.
وَنَزَعَ يَدَهُۥ فَإِذَا هِيَ بَيۡضَآءُ لِلنَّـٰظِرِينَ
Then he drew out his hand and- lo and behold!- it was white for the onlookers to see.
قَالَ لِلۡمَلَإِ حَوۡلَهُۥٓ إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَسَٰحِرٌ عَلِيمٞ
Pharaoh said to the counsellors around him, ‘This man is a learned sorcerer!
يُرِيدُ أَن يُخۡرِجَكُم مِّنۡ أَرۡضِكُم بِسِحۡرِهِۦ فَمَاذَا تَأۡمُرُونَ
He means to use his sorcery to drive you out of your land! What do you suggest?’
قَالُوٓاْ أَرۡجِهۡ وَأَخَاهُ وَٱبۡعَثۡ فِي ٱلۡمَدَآئِنِ حَٰشِرِينَ
They answered, ‘Delay him and his brother for a while, and send messengers to all the cities
يَأۡتُوكَ بِكُلِّ سَحَّارٍ عَلِيمٖ
to bring every accomplished sorcerer to you.’