The elders of Pharaoh's people said: 'Surely this man is a skilful magician 109 who desires to expel you from your land; what do you command?' 110 They said: "Keep him and his brother in suspense (for a while); and send to the cities men to collect- 111 who shall bring before thee every sorcerer of great knowledge." 112 And the magicians came to Firaun, and said, “Will we get some reward if we are victorious?” 113 He said: "Yes, and moreover you will (in that case) be of the nearest (to me)." 114 Then they said: 'O Moses, will you [first] throw your rod, or shall we throw?' 115 Moses said: 'You throw.' So when they threw [their rods], they enchanted the eyes of the people, and struck them with awe, and produced a mighty sorcery. 116 And We inspired to Moses, "Throw your staff," and at once it devoured what they were falsifying. 117 ۞ Thus was the Truth vindicated and that which they were doing was made vain. 118 Pharaoh and his men were defeated and utterly humiliated. 119 And the sorcerers prostrated themselves 120 Crying: We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, 121 the Lord of Moses and Aaron!" 122 Said Pharaoh: "Have you come to believe in him ere I have given you permission? Behold, this is indeed a plot which you have cunningly devised in this [my] city in order to drive out its people hence! But in time you shall come to know, [my revenge]: 123 I will cut off on opposite sides a hand and a foot, and then crucify you all' 124 They replied: 'We shall surely turn to our Lord. 125 "But thou dost wreak thy vengeance on us simply because we believed in the Signs of our Lord when they reached us! Our Lord! pour out on us patience and constancy, and take our souls unto thee as Muslims (who bow to thy will)! 126