[Fir'aun (Pharaoh)] said to the chiefs around him: "Verily! This is indeed a well-versed sorcerer. 34 who seeks to expel you from your land by his sorcery. What is your counsel' 35 They replied: 'Put him and his brother off for a while, and send heralds to your cities 36 “To bring to you every expert great magician.” 37 So the magicians were gathered together at the appointed time on the fixed day, 38 and the people were asked: 'Will you gather 39 (They said): Aye, so that we may follow the wizards if they are the winners. 40 Then when the magicians came, they said unto Fir'awn: will there surely be a big hire for us if we are the winners? 41 He replied, "You will then be my closest associates". 42 Moosa said to them, “Cast whatever you intend to cast.” 43 Thereupon they threw down their ropes and their rods, and said: "By the glory of Pharaoh, we shall prevail." 44 [But] then Moses threw his staff - and lo! it swallowed up all their deceptions. 45 so the sorcerers were cast down, prostrating themselves, 46 They said, 'We believe in the Lord of all Being, 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: "We do not care, for we are bound to return to our Lord, 50 We are eager that our Lord should forgive us our offences, for that we are the first of the believers.' 51