'This', said he (Pharaoh) to his Council, 'is a cunning sorcerer 34 He wants to drive you out of your land by his magic. So, what do you bid?" 35 They said: "Detain him and his brother for a while and send forth heralds to the cities 36 and summon every skillful magician from all the cities." 37 And so the sorcerers were assembled at a set time on a certain day, 38 and the people were asked: Are you all present, 39 "That we may follow the sorcerers [who were on Fir'aun's (Pharaoh) religion of disbelief] if they are the winners." 40 "When the magicians came, they asked the Pharaoh, "Will there be any reward for us if we win?" 41 "Yes," he replied. "You 'will be among the honoured." 42 (Moses) asked the magicians, "Cast down what you want to". 43 So they threw their ropes and their staffs and said, "By the might of Pharaoh, indeed it is we who are predominant." 44 Then Moses threw his rod, when, behold, it straightway swallows up all the falsehoods which they fake! 45 And the magicians were thrown down prostrate; 46 They said: 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! verily unto our Lord we are to return. 50 Behold, we [but] ardently desire that our Sustainer forgive us our faults in return for our having been foremost among the believers!" 51