The Pharaoh said to the people around him, "He is certainly a skillful magician. 34 Who would drive you out of your land by his magic. Now what counsel ye? 35 They said: Put him off, (him) and his brother, and send into the cities summoners 36 to bring every knowledgeable sorcerer' 37 So the magicians were assembled for the appointment of a well-known day. 38 And it was said to the people: "Are you (too) going to assemble? 39 so that we might follow [in the footsteps of] the sorcerers if it is they who prevail?" 40 So when the magicians came, they said to Firaun, “Will we get some reward if we are victorious?” 41 He said: yea; and ye shall verily then be of those brought nigh. 42 Musa said to them: Cast what you are going to cast. 43 So they cast their ropes and rods, and said: "By the glory of Pharaoh, we shall be victorious." 44 Then Musa cast down his staff and lo! it swallowed up the lies they told. 45 so the sorcerers were cast down, bowing themselves. 46 They said, "We have believed 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 'There is no harm' they replied, 'for surely to our Lord we are turning. 50 Indeed, we aspire that our Lord will forgive us our sins because we were the first of the believers." 51