Pharaoh said to the nobles around him: "Surely this man is a skilled magician 34 Who would drive you out of your land by his magic. Now what counsel ye? 35 They said, "Let him and his brother wait a while, and send heralds into the cities, 36 That they should bring to you every skillful magician. 37 And so the sorcerers were assembled at a set time on a certain day, 38 And the people were told: "Are ye (now) assembled?- 39 "That we may follow the sorcerers [who were on Fir'aun's (Pharaoh) religion of disbelief] if they are the winners." 40 Then, when the sorcerers came to Pharaoh, they said: 'Shall we receive a wage if we win' 41 He said: Yes, and surely you will then be of those who are made near. 42 Moses said unto them: Throw what ye are going to throw! 43 So they cast their ropes and their staffs, and said, 'By the might of Pharaoh we shall be the victors.' 44 Then Moses cast down his staff and suddenly it swallowed up what they had falsely invented. 45 Then did the sorcerers fall down, prostrate in adoration, 46 They said, 'We believe in the Lord of all Being, 47 the Lord of Moses and Aaron' 48 Pharaoh said, "Have you come to believe in him, before I have given you permission? He is surely your master who has taught you magic. But you shall see. I will cut off your hands and feet on alternate sides and crucify you all." 49 They said, "It does not matter. We shall be returning to our Lord. 50 We are eager that Our Lord should forgive us our offenses, for we are the first of the believers' 51