The Pharaoh said to the chiefs around him: "He is certainly a clever magician. 34 He would drive you out of your land through his magic; what then is it ye command? 35 They replied: 'Put him and his brother off for a while, and send heralds to your cities 36 And bring the ablest magicians to you." 37 So the wizards were gathered together at a set time on a day appointed. 38 and the people were told: "Will you join the assembly? 39 so that we may follow the magicians if they become 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 Answered he: "Yea - and verily, in that case you shall be among those who are near unto me. 42 Moses said to them, 'Cast you down what you will cast.' 43 So they cast their ropes and staffs, saying: 'By Pharaoh's might, we shall be the victors' 44 Then Moses cast down his staff and suddenly it swallowed up what they had falsely invented. 45 And the wizards were flung prostrate, 46 Saying: "We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, 47 "The Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 Said Pharaoh, 'You have believed him before I gave you leave. Why, he is the chief of you, the same that taught you sorcery; now you shall know! I shall assuredly cut off alternately your hands and feet, then I shall crucify you all together.' 49 They said: "No harm! Surely, to our Lord (Allah) we are to return; 50 Surely we hope that our Lord will forgive us our wrongs because we are the first of the believers. 51