Said [pharaoh] unto the great ones around him: "Verily, this is indeed a sorcerer of great knowledge 34 who wants to drive you out of your land by his magic. Tell us, what do you advise us?" 35 They said: Give him and his brother respite and send heralds into the cities 36 to bring every knowledgeable sorcerer' 37 So the sorcerers were gathered on the appointed day 38 and the people were asked: 'Will you gather 39 so that we might follow [in the footsteps of] the sorcerers if it is they who prevail?" 40 Then, when the sorcerers came to Pharaoh, they said: 'Shall we receive a wage if we win' 41 He said: yea; and ye shall verily then be of those brought nigh. 42 Moses said to them: "Cast what you have to cast." 43 So they cast down their ropes and staffs, and said, "By Pharaoh's honour, we shall surely win." 44 Then Musa cast down his staff, and lo! it swallowed up that which they had devised. 45 Thereupon the magicians fell down in prostration, 46 saying, "We believe in the Lord of the Universe 47 and the Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 Pharaoh said, "Have you come to believe in him, before I have given you permission? He is surely your master who has taught you magic. But you shall see. I will cut off your hands and feet on alternate sides and crucify you all." 49 They said, “No harm (in it), we will return to our Lord.” 50 We are eager that our Lord should forgive us our offences, for that we are the first of the believers.' 51