[Pharaoh] said to the eminent ones around him, "Indeed, this is a learned magician. 34 who wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery. What, then, do you advise?" 35 They said: put off him and his brother, and send unto the cities callers. 36 to mobilise all skilled magicians." 37 So the magicians were brought together on a particular day at a set time 38 and the people were told: "Will you join the assembly? 39 so that we may follow the magicians, if they be the winners." 40 When the magicians arrived, they said to the Pharaoh: "Is there a reward for us if we are victorious?" -- 41 He said: "Yes, and you shall then verily be of those brought near (to myself)." 42 Moses said to them: "Throw ye - that which ye are about to throw!" 43 Then they cast their cords and their staves, and said: by the might of Fir'awn, verily we! we shall be the winners. 44 Then Moses threw his staff, and at once it devoured what they falsified. 45 so the sorcerers were cast down, prostrating themselves, 46 And said: "We (affirm and) believe in the Lord of all the worlds, 47 "The Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 Said Pharaoh, 'You have believed him before I gave you leave. Why, he is the chief of you, the same that taught you sorcery; now you shall know! I shall assuredly cut off alternately your hands and feet, then I shall crucify you 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 offenses, for we are the first of the believers' 51