﴿ وَٱخْتَارَ مُوسَىٰ قَوْمَهُۥ سَبْعِينَ رَجُلًۭا لِّمِيقَٰتِنَا ۖ فَلَمَّآ أَخَذَتْهُمُ ٱلرَّجْفَةُ قَالَ رَبِّ لَوْ شِئْتَ أَهْلَكْتَهُم مِّن قَبْلُ وَإِيَّٰىَ ۖ أَتُهْلِكُنَا بِمَا فَعَلَ ٱلسُّفَهَآءُ مِنَّآ ۖ إِنْ هِىَ إِلَّا فِتْنَتُكَ تُضِلُّ بِهَا مَن تَشَآءُ وَتَهْدِى مَن تَشَآءُ ۖ أَنتَ وَلِيُّنَا فَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا وَٱرْحَمْنَا ۖ وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلْغَٰفِرِينَ ﴾

“And Moses chose out of his people seventy men to come [and pray for forgiveness] at a time set by Us. Then, when violent trembling seized them, he prayed: "O my Sustainer! Hadst Thou so willed, Thou wouldst have destroyed them ere this, and me [with them]. Wilt Thou destroy us for what the weak-minded among us have done? (All] this is but a trial from Thee, whereby Thou allowest to go astray whom Thou willest, and guidest aright whom Thou willest. Thou art near unto us: grant us, then, forgiveness and have mercy on us - for Thou art the best of all forgivers!”

(And Moses chose of his people seventy men for Our appointed tryst and, when the trembling came on them) and killed them, (he said: My Lord! If Thou hadst willed Thou hadst destroyed them long before) before this day, (and me with them) when I killed the Copt. (Wilt Thou destroy us for that which the ignorant among us did) when they worshipped the calf-here Moses thought they were destroyed because of their worship of the calf? (It is but Thy trial (of us)) Your affliction upon us. (Thou sendest whom Thou wilt astray and guidest whom Thou wilt) to avoid the sedition. (Thou art our Protecting Friend) You have better right to have mercy on us, (therefore forgive us and have mercy on us) and do not punish us, (Thou, the Best of all who show forgiveness) overlook sins.