The Pharaoh said to the chiefs around him: "He is certainly a clever magician. 34 Who desires to turn you out of your land with his magic; what is it then that you advise? 35 They said: "Put him and his brother off awhile, and send summoners to the cities to gather 36 "And bring up to thee all (our) sorcerers well-versed." 37 The sorcerers were gathered at the appointed time on a wellknown day, 38 The people were asked, 'Will you assemble? 39 The people said, “Perhaps we may follow the magicians if they are victorious.” 40 And when the wizards came they said unto Pharaoh: Will there surely be a reward for us if we are the winners? 41 "Yes," he replied. "You 'will be among the honoured." 42 Moses said to them: "Cast what you have to cast." 43 So they cast their ropes and their staffs, and said, 'By the might of Pharaoh we shall be the victors.' 44 Then Moses threw down his staff, and it swallowed up all that they had conjured into being. 45 And the sorcerers fell down prostrate. 46 Crying: We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, 47 the Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 Said [Pharaoh]: "Have you come to believe in him ere I have given you permission? Verily, he must be your master who has taught you magic! But in time you shall come to know [my revenge]: most certainly shall I cut off your hands and your feet in great numbers, because of [your] perverseness, and shall most certainly crucify you in great numbers, all together!" 49 They said, "No harm. Indeed, to our Lord we will return. 50 "Only, our desire is that our Lord will forgive us our faults, that we may become foremost among the believers!" 51