Pharaoh said to the chiefs around him, "Surely this man is a skilful sorcerer. 34 He wants to drive you out of your land by his magic, so what do you advise?" 35 They answered: "Let him and his brother wait a while, and send unto all cities heralds 36 That they may bring to thee every magician knowing. 37 So the magicians were assembled at a set time on a day made known. 38 And the people were told: "Are ye (now) assembled?- 39 "That we may follow the sorcerers (in religion) if they win?" 40 And when the magicians arrived, they said to Pharaoh, "Is there indeed for us a reward if we are the predominant?" 41 He said: "Yea, (and more),- for ye shall in that case be (raised to posts) nearest (to my person)." 42 Moses said to them: 'Cast down what you cast' 43 Then they threw down their cords and their staves and said: By Pharaoh's might, lo! we verily are the winners. 44 Then Moses threw his rod, when, behold, it straightway swallows up all the falsehoods which they fake! 45 And the magicians were thrown down prostrate; 46 [and] exclaimed: "We have come to believe in the Sustainer of all the worlds, 47 the Lord of Moses and Aaron." 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 answered: "No harm [canst thou do to us]: verily, unto our Sustainer do we turn! 50 Indeed, we aspire that our Lord will forgive us our sins because we were the first of the believers." 51