Marmaduke Pickthall, The Meaning of The Glorious Koran. An Explanatory Translation (1930)
48. And every token that We showed them was greater than its sister (token), and we grasped them with the torment, that haply they might turn again.
49. And they said: O wizard! Entreat thy Lord for us by the pact that He hath made with thee. Lo! we verily will walk aright.
50. But when We eased them of the torment, behold! they broke their word.
51. And Pharaoh caused a proclamation to be made among his people saying: O my people! Is not mine the sovereignty of Egypt and these rivers flowing under me? Can ye not then discern?
52. I am surely better than this fellow, who is despicable and can hardly make (his meaning) plain!
53. Why, then, have armlets of gold not been set upon him, or angels sent along with him?
54. Thus he persuaded his people to make light (of Moses), and they obeyed him. Lo! they were a wanton folk.
55. So, when they angered Us, We punished them and drowned them every one.
56. And We made them a thing past, and an example for those after (them).
57. And when the son of Mary is quoted as an example, behold! the folk laugh out,
58. And say: Are our gods better, or is he? They raise not the objection save for argument. Nay! but they are a contentious folk.
59. He is nothing but a slave 1 on whom We bestowed favour, and We made him a pattern for the Children of Israel.
60. And had We willed We could have set among you angels to be viceroys in the earth.
1 ‘Abd Allah, “slave of God,” is a proud designation with the Muslims, bondage to Allah implying liberation from all earthly servitudes.
