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XXVIII, 29-36. THE CHAPTER OF THE STORY.
III
And when Moses had fulfilled the appointed time, and was journeying with his people, he perceived from the side of the mountain a fire; said he to his people, “Tarry ye here; verily, I have perceived a fire, haply I may bring you good news therefrom, or a brand of fire that haply ye may be warmed ?'
[30] And when he came to it he was called to, from the right side of the wady, in the blessed valley, out of the tree, O Moses ! verily, I am God the Lord of the worlds ; so throw down thy rod;' and when he saw it quivering as though it were a snake, he turned away and fled and did not return. O Moses ! approach and fear not, verily, thou art amongst the safe. Thrust thy hand into thy bosom, it shall come out white, without hurt; and then fold again thy wing, that thou dost now stretch out through dread; for those are two signs from thy Lord to Pharaoh and his chiefs; verily, they are a people who work abomination !
Said he, ' My Lord! verily, I have killed a person amongst them, and I fear that they will kill me: and my brother Aaron, he is more eloquent of tongue than I; send him then with me as a support, to verify me; verily, I fear that they will call me liar!'
[35] Said He, We will strengthen thine arm with thy brother; and we will make for you both authority, and they shall not reach you in our signs; ye two and those who follow you shall gain the upper hand.'
And when Moses came to them with our manifest signs, they said, “This is only sorcery devised ;
i See Part II, p. 35, note 1.
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