Pharaoh said to the chiefs around him, "Surely this man is a skilful sorcerer. 34 "His plan is to get you out of your land by his sorcery; then what is it ye counsel?" 35 They answered: "Let him and his brother wait a while, and send unto all cities heralds 36 That they may bring to thee every magician knowing. 37 So the wizards were gathered together at a set time on a day appointed. 38 And it was said to the people, "Will you congregate 39 (They said): "We may haply follow the magicians if they are victorious." 40 When the magicians arrived, they said to the Pharaoh: "Is there a reward for us if we are victorious?" -- 41 He said: "Yes, and you shall then verily be of those brought near (to myself)." 42 Moses said to them: "Cast what you 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 cast down his staff and suddenly it swallowed up what they had falsely invented. 45 And the wizards were flung prostrate, 46 saying: "We (now) believe in the Lord of the Universe, 47 The Lord of Musa and Harun. 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, "No harm. Indeed, to our Lord we will return. 50 "Verily! We really hope that our Lord will forgive us our sins, as we are the first of the believers [in Musa (Moses) and in the Monotheism which he has brought from Allah]." 51