Pharaoh said to the chiefs around him, "Surely this man is a skilful sorcerer. 34 Who desires to turn you out of your land with his magic; what is it then that you advise? 35 They answered: "Let him and his brother wait a while, and send unto all cities heralds 36 Who will bring you every learned, skilled magician." 37 So the magicians were brought together on a particular day at a set time 38 and the people were told, "Will you also gather together, 39 in order that we shall follow the sorcerers if they are the victors' 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: "Yea, (and more),- for ye shall in that case be (raised to posts) nearest (to my person)." 42 Moses said to the magicians, "Throw down whatever you are going to throw." 43 So they threw down their ropes and their staves and exclaimed, “By the honour of Firaun, indeed victory is ours!” 44 Then Moses cast down his staff and it swallowed up their lying invention, 45 The magicians fell down in adoration 46 They said: We believe in the Lord of 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 said: "No harm! Surely, to our Lord (Allah) 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