Said [pharaoh] unto the great ones around him: "Verily, this is indeed a sorcerer of great knowledge 34 who desires to expel you from your land by his sorcery; what do you command?' 35 They said: Give him and his brother respite and send heralds into the cities 36 Who shall bring unto thee every knowing wizard. 37 So the sorcerers were assembled for the appointed time of a fixed day. 38 And it was said unto the people: are ye going to assemble. 39 Belike we may follow the magicians if they are the winners? 40 And when the magicians came, they said to Firon: Shall we get a reward if we are the vanquishers? 41 He replied, "You will then be my closest associates". 42 (Moses) asked the magicians, "Cast down what you want to". 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 Musa cast down his staff, and lo! it swallowed up that which they had devised. 45 Thereupon the magicians fell down in prostration, 46 saying: "We (now) believe in the Lord of the Universe, 47 The Lord of Moses and Aaron. 48 [Fir'aun (Pharaoh)] said: "You have believed in him before I give you leave. Surely, he indeed is your chief, who has taught you magic! So verily, you shall come to know. Verily, I will cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will crucify you all." 49 They said: It is no hurt, for lo! unto our Lord we shall return. 50 We hope that our Lord will forgive us for our sins; we were not believers at first." 51