'This', said he (Pharaoh) to his Council, 'is a cunning sorcerer 34 who seeks to expel you from your land by his sorcery. What is your counsel' 35 They said, 'Put him and his brother off a while, and send among the cities musterers, 36 Who will bring you every learned, skilled magician." 37 So the sorcerers were got together for the appointment of a day well-known, 38 And it was said unto the people: Are ye (also) gathering? 39 "That we may follow the sorcerers (in religion) if they win?" 40 So when the sorcerers arrived, they said to Pharaoh: "Of course - shall we have a (suitable) reward if we win? 41 He said: yea; and ye shall verily then be of those brought nigh. 42 Musa (Moses) said to them: "Throw what you are going to throw!" 43 So they cast down their cords and their rods and said: By Firon's power, we shall most surely be victorious. 44 Then Moses threw down his staff, and it swallowed up all that they had conjured into being. 45 The magicians fell down in adoration 46 saying: 'We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, 47 The Lord of Musa and Haroun. 48 Said (Pharaoh): "Believe ye in Him before I give you permission? surely he is your leader, who has taught you sorcery! but soon shall ye know! Be sure I will cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will cause you all to die on the cross!" 49 They said: "No harm! Surely, to our Lord (Allah) we are to return; 50 "Only, our desire is that our Lord will forgive us our faults, that we may become foremost among the believers!" 51