The evil-doers shall have no friend or intercessor who shall prevail.

God knoweth the deceitful of eye, and what men’s breasts conceal.

And everything will God decide with truth: But nothing shall those gods whom men call on beside him, decide. Verily, God! the Hearer, the Beholder, He!

Have they never journeyed in this land, and seen what hath been the end of those who flourished before them? Mightier were they in strength than these Meccans, and their traces remain in the land: Yet God took them in their sins, and there was none to defend them against God.

This, because their apostles had come to them with proofs of their mission, and they believed not: so God took them in hand; for He is mighty, vehement in punishing.

Moreover we had sent Moses of old with our signs and with clear authority.

To Pharaoh, and Haman, and Karun:⁴ and they said, “Sorcerer, impostor.”

And when he came to them from our presence with the truth, they said, “Slay the sons of those who believe as he doth, and save their females alive;” but the stratagem of the unbelievers issued only in failure.

And Pharaoh said, “Let me alone, that I may kill Moses; and let him call upon his Lord: I fear lest he change your religion, or cause disorder to shew itself in the land.”

And Moses said, “I take refuge with my Lord and your Lord from every proud one who believeth not in the day of reckoning.”

And a man of the family of Pharaoh, who was a BELIEVER,⁵ but hid his faith, said, “Will ye slay a man because he saith my Lord is God, when he hath already come to you with proofs of his mission from your Lord? and if he be a liar, on him will be his lie:⁶ but if he be a man of truth, part at least of what he threateneth will fall upon you. Truly God guideth not him who is a transgressor, a liar.

O my people! this day is the kingdom yours, the eminent of the earth! but who shall defend us from the vengeance of God if it come on us?” Pharaoh said, “I would have you see only what I see; and in a right way only will I guide you.”

Then said he who believed, “O my people! truly I fear for you the like of the day of the allies,⁷

The like of the state of the people of Noah and Ad and Themoud,

And of those who came after them; yet God willeth not injustice to his servants.

And, O my people! I indeed fear for you the day of mutual outcry—

The day when ye shall be turned back from the Judgment into hell. No protector shall ye have then against God. And he whom God shall mislead no guide shall there be for him.

Moreover, Joseph had come to you before with clear tokens, but ye ceased not to doubt of the message with which he came to you, until when he died, ye said, ‘God will by no means raise up an apostle after him.’ ” Thus God misleadeth him who is the transgressor, the doubter.

They who gainsay the signs of God without authority having come to them, are greatly hated by God and by those who believe. Thus God sealeth up every proud, contumacious heart.

And Pharaoh said, “O Haman,⁸ Build for me a tower that I may reach the avenues,