Pharaoh said to the nobles around him: "Surely this man is a skilled magician 34 who desires to expel you from your land by his sorcery; what do you command?' 35 They answered: "Let him and his brother wait a while, and send unto all cities heralds 36 who shall assemble before thee all sorcerers of great knowledge" 37 So the magicians were assembled for the appointment of a well-known day. 38 And it was said to the people, “Have you (also) gathered?” 39 (They said): "We may haply follow the magicians if they are victorious." 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 ye shall verily then be of those brought nigh. 42 Moses said to the magicians, "Throw down whatever you are going to throw." 43 So they threw their ropes and their rods, and said: "By the might of Pharaoh, it is we who will certainly win!" 44 Then Moses cast his staff and lo, it forthwith swallowed up their lying invention; 45 And the sorcerers fell down prostrate. 46 Saying: "We believe in the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists). 47 The Lord of Moses and Aaron. 48 Said Pharaoh, 'You have believed him before I gave you leave. Why, he is the chief of you, the same that taught you sorcery; now you shall know! I shall assuredly cut off alternately your hands and feet, then I shall crucify you all together.' 49 They said: "No harm! Surely, to our Lord (Allah) we are to return; 50 "Only, our desire is that our Lord will forgive us our faults, that we may become foremost among the believers!" 51