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 sorcery. Now what do you advise?" 35 They answered: "Let him and his brother wait a while, and send unto all cities heralds 36 to bring every knowledgeable sorcerer' 37 So all the magicians gathered together at the appointed time 38 and the people were asked: 'Will you gather 39 so that we may follow the magicians, if they be the winners." 40 When the magicians arrived, they said to the Pharaoh: "Is there a reward for us if we are victorious?" -- 41 He said, "Yes, and indeed, you will then be of those near [to me]." 42 Moses said to them: "Throw ye - that which ye are about to throw!" 43 Then they cast their cords and their staves, and said: by the might of Fir'awn, verily we! we shall be the winners. 44 [But] then Moses threw his staff - and lo! it swallowed up all their deceptions. 45 The magicians fell down prostrate, 46 saying, "We believe in the Lord of the Universe 47 and the Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 Said (the Pharaoh): "You have come to believe in him before I gave you leave. He is surely your chief, who taught you magic. You will soon come to know: I will have your hands and feet cut off on alternate sides, and have every one of you crucified." 49 They said, "There is no harm. To our Lord we shall return. 50 "Only, our desire is that our Lord will forgive us our faults, that we may become foremost among the believers!" 51