'This', said he (Pharaoh) to his Council, 'is a cunning sorcerer 34 “He wishes to expel you out of your land by his magic; so what is your advice?” 35 They said, "Let him and his brother wait a while, and send heralds into the cities, 36 and summon every skillful magician from all the cities." 37 So the magicians were assembled at a stated time and place on an appointed day. 38 and the people were told, "Will you also gather together, 39 Haply we may follow the magicians, if they are the vanquishers. 40 So when the sorcerers arrived, they said to Pharaoh: "Of course - shall we have a (suitable) reward if we win? 41 "Yes," he replied. "You 'will be among the honoured." 42 Moses said to them: "Cast what you have to cast." 43 So they cast their ropes and their staffs, and said, 'By the might of Pharaoh we shall be the victors.' 44 Then Musa cast down his staff, and lo! it swallowed up that which they had devised. 45 So the magicians fell down in prostration [to Allah]. 46 saying: "We (now) believe in the Lord of the Universe, 47 The Lord of Moses and Aaron. 48 Said (the Pharaoh): "You have come to believe in him before I gave you leave. He is surely your chief, who taught you magic. You will soon come to know: I will have your hands and feet cut off on alternate sides, and have every one of you crucified." 49 They said: no harm! verily unto our Lord we are to return. 50 Lo! we ardently hope that our Lord will forgive us our sins because we are the first of the believers. 51