Moses then chose seventy men from among his people to come to the next audience of Mine [asking for forgiveness and hoping to receive a new copy of the broken tablets.] When a sever earthquake overtook them, Moses said: "My Lord, if it was your will, you would have destroyed them along with me long time ago. Is it now your will to destroy us all in account of the stupidity of some of us? What happened was really a test for us so that you decide to mislead whoever you want [and naturally deserves] and guide whoever you will. You are our only Protector; please forgive us and have mercy on us as you are the Most Forgiving."