The chiefs of the people of Fir'awn said: verily this is a magician knowing. 109 He would drive you forth from your land; so what is it that ye enjoin? 110 They said: Put him off and his brother, and send collectors into the cities: 111 to bring thee every cunning sorcerer.' 112 And the sorcerers came to Pharaoh, saying, 'We shall surely have a wage, if we should be the victors?' 113 He said: "Yes, and moreover you will (in that case) be of the nearest (to me)." 114 They said, "Moses, will you first throw, or shall we?" 115 Moses said: 'You throw.' So when they threw [their rods], they enchanted the eyes of the people, and struck them with awe, and produced a mighty sorcery. 116 And We inspired Moses (saying): Throw thy staff! And lo! it swallowed up their lying show. 117 ۞ Thus the truth was upheld, and the falsehood that they practised was exposed. 118 So they were defeated there and then, and were returned disgraced. 119 threw themselves down in prostration 120 and said, "We believe in the Lord of the Universe, 121 "The Lord of Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron)." 122 Pharaoh said, "You dare believe in Him before I have given you permission? Behold, this is indeed a plot which you have devised in this city in order to drive its people out. But you shall soon know the consequences, 123 "I will have your hands and feet on alternate sides cut off, and have you all crucified." 124 They said, "Indeed, to our Lord we will return. 125 Will you punish us just because we believed in the signs of our Lord when they came to us? Our Lord! Shower us with perseverance and cause us to die as those who have submitted [to You].' 126