(Pharaoh) said unto the chiefs about him: Lo! this is verily a knowing wizard, 34 who wants to drive you out of your land by his magic. Tell us, what do you advise us?" 35 They said: "Put him and his brother off awhile, and send summoners to the cities to gather 36 And bring the ablest magicians to you." 37 And so the sorcerers were assembled at a set time on a certain day, 38 And the people were told: "Are ye (now) assembled?- 39 Haply we may follow the magicians, if they are the vanquishers. 40 So when the sorcerers arrived, they said to Fir'aun (Pharaoh): "Will there surely be a reward for us if we are the winners?" 41 He said, 'Yes indeed; and you shall then be among the near-stationed.' 42 Moses said to them: "Cast what you have to cast." 43 So they cast their ropes and staffs, saying: 'By Pharaoh's might, we shall be the victors' 44 Then Moses cast down his staff and suddenly it swallowed up what they had falsely invented. 45 And the sorcerers fell down prostrate. 46 They said: We believe in the Lord of the worlds: 47 The Lord of Moses and Aaron. 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 They said: no harm! verily unto our Lord we are to return. 50 Verily we long that our Lord shall forgive us our faults because we have been the first of the believers 51