'This', said he (Pharaoh) to his Council, 'is a cunning sorcerer 34 "He wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery, then what is it your counsel, and what do you command?" 35 They said, "Postpone [the matter of] him and his brother and send among the cities gatherers 36 to bring every knowledgeable sorcerer' 37 So the magicians were gathered together at the appointed time on the fixed day, 38 And it was said to the people: Will you gather together? 39 Haply we shall follow the sorcerers if it should be they are the victors.' 40 When the magicians came, they asked Pharaoh, "Shall we have a reward, if we are the winners?" 41 He said: "Yea, (and more),- for ye shall in that case be (raised to posts) nearest (to my person)." 42 Moses said unto them: Throw what ye are going to throw! 43 So they cast their ropes and their staffs, and said, 'By the might of Pharaoh we shall be the victors.' 44 Then Moses threw down his staff, and lo, it swallowed up their conjurations. 45 And the wizards were flung prostrate, 46 They said, 'We believe in the Lord of all Being, 47 The Lord of Musa and Haroun. 48 Said [Pharaoh]: "Have you come to believe in him ere I have given you permission? Verily, he must be your master who has taught you magic! But in time you shall come to know [my revenge]: most certainly shall I cut off your hands and your feet in great numbers, because of [your] perverseness, and shall most certainly crucify you in great numbers, all together!" 49 'There is no harm' they replied, 'for surely to our Lord we are turning. 50 We are eager that Our Lord should forgive us our offenses, for we are the first of the believers' 51