Pharaoh said to the nobles around him: "Surely this man is a skilled magician 34 Who wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery. Now what do you advise?" 35 They said: "Detain him and his brother for a while and send forth heralds to the cities 36 That they should bring to you every skillful magician. 37 So the sorcerers were assembled for the appointed time of a fixed day. 38 And it was said unto the people: are ye going to assemble. 39 so that we may follow the magicians, if they be the winners." 40 Then, when the sorcerers came, they said to Pharaoh, 'Shall we indeed have a wage, if we should be the victors?' 41 'Yes, indeed' he answered, 'and you shall become among those who are near stationed' 42 Musa said unto them: cast whatsoever ye have to cast. 43 So they cast down their ropes and staffs, and said, "By Pharaoh's honour, we shall surely win." 44 [But] then Moses threw his staff - and lo! it swallowed up all their deceptions. 45 So the magicians fell down in prostration [to Allah]. 46 saying: '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, "It does not matter. We shall be returning to our Lord. 50 We hope that our Lord will forgive us for our sins; we were not believers at first." 51