'This', said he (Pharaoh) to his Council, 'is a cunning sorcerer 34 “He wishes to expel you out of your land by his magic; so what is your advice?” 35 They said: "Detain him and his brother for a while and send forth heralds to the cities 36 That they may bring to thee every magician knowing. 37 So the magicians were brought together on a particular day at a set time 38 And the people were told: "Are ye (now) assembled?- 39 (They said): Aye, so that we may follow the wizards if they are the winners. 40 When the magicians came, they asked Pharaoh, "Shall we have a reward, if we are the winners?" 41 'Yes, indeed' he answered, 'and you shall become among those who are near stationed' 42 Moses said to the magicians, "Throw down whatever you are going to throw." 43 So they cast their ropes and rods, and said: "By the glory of Pharaoh, we shall be victorious." 44 Then Moses threw down his staff, and it swallowed up all that they had conjured into being. 45 Then the magicians fell prostrating in adoration, 46 saying: 'We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, 47 "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 answered: "No harm [canst thou do to us]: verily, unto our Sustainer do we turn! 50 Lo! we ardently hope that our Lord will forgive us our sins because we are the first of the believers. 51