Some of the Pharaoh's nobles considered him to be no more than a skillful magician 109 "He wishes to drive you away from the land. So what do you advise?" 110 They said: Put him off and his brother, and send collectors into the cities: 111 to summon every wellversed sorcerer to you' 112 The magicians came to the Pharaoh and said: "Is there reward for us if we succeed?" 113 Answered [Pharaoh]: "Yes; and verily, you shall be among those who are near unto me." 114 They said, 'Moses, wilt thou cast, or shall we be the casters?' 115 He said: cast ye. Then when they cast down, they enchanted the eyes of the people, and terrified them and brought mighty magic to bear. 116 We put it into Moses's mind by inspiration: "Throw (now) thy rod": and behold! it swallows up straight away all the falsehoods which they fake! 117 ۞ whereupon the truth was established, and vain was proved all that they had been doing. 118 Thus they were overcome and made to look abject. 119 And the enchanters were thrown down, prostrating (themselves). 120 They said: We believe in the Lord of the worlds, 121 the Lord of Moses and Aaron.' 122 Firon said: Do you believe in Him before I have given you permission? Surely this is a plot which you have secretly devised in this city, that you may turn out of it its people, but you shall know: 123 I will surely cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides; then I will surely crucify you all." 124 The magicians said, "We will certainly return to Our Lord. 125 And you do not resent us except because we believed in the signs of our Lord when they came to us. Our Lord, pour upon us patience and let us die as Muslims [in submission to You]." 126