Said [pharaoh] unto the great ones around him: "Verily, this is indeed a sorcerer of great knowledge 34 He wants to expel you from your land through his magic. What is your opinion?" 35 They said: Give him and his brother respite and send heralds into the cities 36 to bring thee every cunning sorcerer. 37 So the magicians were gathered at a set time on a day appointed. 38 and the people were asked: Are you all present, 39 so that we may follow the magicians, if they be the winners." 40 Then, when the sorcerers came to Pharaoh, they said: 'Shall we receive a wage if we win' 41 He said: Yes, and surely you will then be of those who are made near. 42 Moses said to the magicians, "Throw down whatever you are going to throw." 43 Thereupon they threw down their ropes and their rods, and said: "By the glory of Pharaoh, we shall prevail." 44 Then Musa cast down his staff, and lo! it swallowed up that which they had devised. 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 [Pharaoh] said, "You believed Moses before I gave you permission. Indeed, he is your leader who has taught you magic, but you are going to know. I will surely cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will surely crucify you all." 49 They said, “No harm (in it), we will return to our Lord.” 50 Indeed, we aspire that our Lord will forgive us our sins because we were the first of the believers." 51