Said the Council of the people of Pharaoh, 'Surely this man is a cunning sorcerer 109 Who wants to expel you from your land [through magic], so what do you instruct?" 110 They said: "Keep him and his brother in suspense (for a while); and send to the cities men to collect- 111 who shall bring before thee every sorcerer of great knowledge." 112 And the sorcerers came to Pharaoh, saying, 'We shall surely have a wage, if we should be the victors?' 113 He said: "Yes, and moreover you will (in that case) be of the nearest (to me)." 114 They said, "Moses, will you first throw, or shall we?" 115 "You cast it first," answered Moses. When they cast their spell, they bewitched the eyes of the people and petrified them by conjuring up a great charm. 116 Then We inspired Moses, saying, "Throw down your staff." And it immediately swallowed up their false devices. 117 ۞ Thus the truth was upheld, and the falsehood that they practised was exposed. 118 Thus they were overcome and made to look abject. 119 And the magicians fell down in prostration [to Allah]. 120 And said: "We have come to believe in the Lord of all the worlds, 121 the Sustainer of Moses and Aaron!" 122 Pharaoh said: Ye believe in Him before I give you leave! Lo! this is the plot that ye have plotted in the city that ye may drive its people hence. But ye shall come to know! 123 I will cut off your hands and feet on alternate sides and then crucify you all!" 124 They replied, "We shall surely return to our Lord. 125 You would punish us only because we believed in the signs of our Lord when they were shown to us. Our Lord, pour patience upon us, and cause us to die in a state of submission to You." 126