This account of something that was beyond the reach of thy perception We [now] reveal unto thee:* for thou wert not with them when they drew lots as to which of them should be Mary's guardian,* and thou wert not with them when they contended [about it] with one another.

And the King said: "Bring him unto me, so that I may attach him to my own person." And when he had spoken with him, [the King] said: "Behold, [from] this day thou shalt be of high standing with us, invested with all trust!"

THIS ACCOUNT of something that was beyond the reach of thy perception We [now] reveal unto thee, [O Prophet:] for thou wert not with Joseph's brothers* when they resolved upon what they were going to do and wove their schemes [against him].

thus [We had made them, and thus he left them* ; and We did encompass with Our knowledge all that he had in mind*

But they (who claim to follow you) have torn their unity wide asunder,* piece by piece, each group delighting in [but] what they themselves possess [by way of tenets].*

And [withal.] We do not burden any human being with more than he is well able to bear: for with Us is a record that speaks the truth [about what men do and can do]; and none shall be wronged.

[And then He said:] “Now throw down thy staff!"* But when he saw it move rapidly, as if it were a serpent, he drew back [in terror], and did not [dare to] return.* [And God spoke to him again:] O Moses! Fear not - for, behold, no fear need the message-bearers have in My Presence,

[or] among those who have broken the unity of their faith and have become sects, each group delighting in but what they themselves hold [by way of tenets].*

and [that] all of them, all together, will [in the end] before Us be arraigned?

Nothing will there have been but one single blast - and lo! before Us will all of them be arraigned [and be told]:

And, verily, [originating as it does] in the source, with Us, of all revelation,* it is indeed sublime, full of wisdom.

Or do they, perchance, think that We do not hear their hidden thoughts and their secret confabulations?* Yea, indeed, [We do,] and Our heavenly forces* are with them, recording [all].

not even a word can he utter but there is a watcher with him, ever-present.*

And one part* of him will say: “This it is that has been ever-present with me!"*

[And] He will say: “Contend not before Me, [O you sinners,] for I gave you a forewarning [of this Day of Reckoning].

The judgment passed by Me shall not be altered; but never do I do the least wrong unto My creatures!"

In that [paradise] they shall have whatever they may desire - but there is yet more with Us.

so as to make manifest that it is indeed [but] their Sustainer's messages that these [apostles] deliver: for it is He who encompasses [with His knowledge] all that they have [to say],* just as He takes count, one by one, of everything [that exists].

for, behold, heavy fetters [await them] with Us, and a blazing fire,