Said [pharaoh] unto the great ones around him: "Verily, this is indeed a sorcerer of great knowledge 34 who seeks to expel you from your land by his sorcery. What is your counsel' 35 They said, “Stop him and his brother, and send gatherers to the cities.” 36 That they should bring to you every skillful magician. 37 So the sorcerers were assembled at a fixed time on a day appointed. 38 And it was said to the people: Will you gather together? 39 "That we may follow the sorcerers [who were on Fir'aun's (Pharaoh) religion of disbelief] if they are the winners." 40 When the magicians came, they asked Pharaoh, "Shall we have a reward, if we are the winners?" 41 He said, "Yes, and indeed, you will then be of those near [to me]." 42 Musa said unto them: cast whatsoever ye have to cast. 43 Then they threw down their cords and their staves and said: By Pharaoh's might, lo! we verily are the winners. 44 Then Moses threw down his staff, and lo, it swallowed up their conjurations. 45 And the magicians were thrown down prostrate; 46 saying: "We (now) believe in the Lord of the Universe, 47 and 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. Indeed, to our Lord we will return. 50 Surely we hope that our Lord will forgive us our wrongs because we are the first of the believers. 51