Said [pharaoh] unto the great ones around him: "Verily, this is indeed a sorcerer of great knowledge 34 Who would drive you out of your land by his magic. Now what counsel ye? 35 They said: Give him and his brother respite and send heralds into the cities 36 who shall bring to you every skilful sorcerer." 37 So all the magicians gathered together at the appointed time 38 and the people were told: "Will you join the assembly? 39 (They said): Aye, so that we may follow the wizards if they are the winners. 40 So when the sorcerers arrived, they said to Pharaoh: "Of course - shall we have a (suitable) reward if we win? 41 He said: Yes, and surely you will then be of those who are made near. 42 Musa (Moses) said to them: "Throw what you are going to throw!" 43 So they cast down their ropes and staffs saying, "By the honor of the Pharaoh we shall certainly become the winners". 44 Thereafter, Moses threw down his rod and behold, it went about swallowing up all the false devices they had contrived. 45 Then the magicians flung themselves prostrate. 46 saying: 'We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, 47 the Sustainer 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: No harm; surely to our Lord we go back; 50 Surely we hope that our Lord will forgive us our wrongs because we are the first of the believers. 51