Page:Sacred Books of the East - Volume 9.djvu/116

100 blindly on ! These are they who shall have an evil torment, and they in the hereafter shall be those who most lose ! Verily, thou dost meet with this Qurʼân from the wise, the knowing One !

When Moses said to his people, ‘ Verily, I perceive a fire, I will bring you therefrom news ; or I will bring you a burning brand ; haply ye may be warmed.’ But when he came to it he was called to, ‘ Blessed be He who is in the fire, and he who is about it! and celebrated be the praises of God, the Lord of the worlds ! O Moses ! verily, I am God, the mighty, wise ; throw down thy staff !’ and when he saw it quivering, as though it were a snake, he turned back fleeing, and did not return. ‘ O Moses ! fear not ; verily, as for me — apostles fear not with me ; save only those who have done wrong and then substitute good for evil ; for, verily, I am forgiving, merciful ! but put thy hand in thy bosom, it shall come forth white without hurt ; — one of nine signs to Pharaoh and his people ; verily, they are a people who act abominably.’

And when our signs came to them visibly, they said, ‘ This is obvious sorcery !’ and they gainsaid them — though their souls made sure of them — unjustly, haughtily; but, behold what was the end of the evildoers !

And we gave David and Solomon knowledge ; and they both said, ‘Praise belongs to God, who hath preferred us over many of His servants who believe !’

And Solomon was David’s heir ; and said, ‘ O ye folk ! we have been taught the speech of birds, and we have been given everything ; verily, this is an obvious grace !’