Pharaoh said to the chiefs around him, "Surely this man is a skilful sorcerer. 34 who wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery. What, then, do you advise?" 35 They said, 'Put him and his brother off a while, and send among the cities musterers, 36 to bring every knowledgeable sorcerer' 37 So the wizards were gathered together at a set time on a day appointed. 38 And it was said unto the people: Are ye (also) gathering? 39 in order that we shall follow the sorcerers if they are the victors' 40 Then when the magicians came, they said unto Fir'awn: will there surely be a big hire for us if we are the winners? 41 He replied, "You will then be my closest associates". 42 Musa said unto them: cast whatsoever ye have to 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 sorcerers fell down prostrate. 46 They said: we believe in the Lord of the worlds. 47 The Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 Pharaoh said: "You accepted the word of Moses even before I granted you the leave to do so. Surely he is your chief who has taught you magic. Soon shall you come to know. I shall cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides and shall crucify all of you." 49 They said: no harm! verily unto our Lord 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