'This', said he (Pharaoh) to his Council, 'is a cunning sorcerer 34 who wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery. What, then, do you advise?" 35 They said: Give him and his brother respite and send heralds into the cities 36 to mobilise all skilled magicians." 37 So the magicians were gathered together at the appointed time on the fixed day, 38 And the people were told: "Are ye (now) assembled?- 39 Belike we may follow the magicians if they are the winners? 40 So when the sorcerers arrived, they said to Fir'aun (Pharaoh): "Will there surely be a reward for us if we are the winners?" 41 He said, "Yes, and indeed, you will then be of those near [to me]." 42 [And] Moses said unto them: "Throw whatever you are going to throw!" 43 So they threw their ropes and their sticks, and said: "By the might of Fir'aun (Pharaoh), it is we who will certainly win!" 44 Then Moses threw his staff, and at once it devoured what they falsified. 45 The magicians therefore fell down prostrate. 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, "No harm. Indeed, to our Lord we will return. 50 Verily we long that our Lord shall forgive us our faults because we have been the first of the believers 51