The chiefs of Pharaoh's people said, "This is most surely a skillful magician, 109 He would drive you forth from your land; so what is it that ye enjoin? 110 They said, 'Put him and his brother off a while, and send among the cities musterers, 111 to bring thee every cunning sorcerer.' 112 And so the sorcerers came to Fir'aun (Pharaoh). They said: "Indeed there will be a (good) reward for us if we are the victors." 113 He said: Yes, and you shall certainly be of those who are near (to me). 114 They said: 'Moses, will you throw first or shall we be the throwers' 115 He answered: "You throw [first]." And when they threw down [their staffs,] they cast a spell upon the people's eyes, and struck them with awe, and produced mighty sorcery. 116 Then We directed Moses: 'Now you throw your rod.' And lo! it swallowed up all their false devices. 117 ۞ Thus truth was confirmed, and all that they did was made of no effect. 118 So the (great ones) were vanquished there and then, and were made to look small. 119 And the magicians flung themselves prostrate. 120 And said: "We have come to believe in the Lord of all the worlds, 121 the Sustainer of Moses and Aaron!" 122 But Pharaoh said: "You have come to accept belief in Him without my permission! This surely is a plot you have hatched to expel the people from the land. You will soon come to know. 123 "Be sure I will cut off your hands and your feet on apposite sides, and I will cause you all to die on the cross." 124 They replied: 'We shall surely return to our Lord. 125 And you do not resent us except because we believed in the signs of our Lord when they came to us. Our Lord, pour upon us patience and let us die as Muslims [in submission to You]." 126