The Pharaoh said to the people around him, "He is certainly a skillful magician. 34 He wants to drive you out of your land by his magic, so what do you advise?" 35 They said: "Keep him and his brother in suspense (for a while), and dispatch to the Cities heralds to collect- 36 who shall assemble before thee all sorcerers of great knowledge" 37 So the wizards were gathered together at a set time on a day appointed. 38 The people were asked, 'Will you assemble? 39 Haply we shall follow the sorcerers if it should be they are the victors.' 40 So when the sorcerers arrived, they said to Fir'aun (Pharaoh): "Will there surely be a reward for us if we are the winners?" 41 Answered he: "Yea - and verily, in that case you shall be among those who are near unto me. 42 Moses said to them: "Cast what you have to cast." 43 So they cast down their cords and their rods and said: By Firon's power, we shall most surely be victorious. 44 Then Musa (Moses) threw his stick, and behold, it swallowed up all the falsehoods which they showed! 45 Thereupon the magicians fell down in prostration, 46 They said, 'We believe in the Lord of all Being, 47 the Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 Said (the Pharaoh): "You have come to believe in him before I gave you leave. He is surely your chief, who taught you magic. You will soon come to know: I will have your hands and feet cut off on alternate sides, and have every one of you crucified." 49 They said: no harm! verily unto our Lord we are to return. 50 Lo! we ardently hope that our Lord will forgive us our sins because we are the first of the believers. 51