Said [pharaoh] unto the great ones around him: "Verily, this is indeed a sorcerer of great knowledge 34 He would drive you out of your land through his magic; what then is it ye command? 35 They said: put off him and his brother, and send unto the cities callers. 36 "To bring up to you every well-versed sorcerer." 37 So the magicians were gathered at a set time on a day appointed. 38 and the people were told: "Will you join the assembly? 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 forth (for the encounter) they said to Pharaoh: "Is there a reward for us if we triumph?" 41 He said: "Yes, and you shall then verily be of those brought near (to myself)." 42 (Moses) asked the magicians, "Cast down what you want to". 43 So they threw their ropes and their staffs and said, "By the might of Pharaoh, indeed it is we who are predominant." 44 Then Moses cast down his staff and suddenly it swallowed up what they had falsely invented. 45 so the sorcerers were cast down, bowing themselves. 46 They said: We believe in the Lord of the worlds: 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: It is no hurt, for lo! unto our Lord we shall return. 50 Behold, we [but] ardently desire that our Sustainer forgive us our faults in return for our having been foremost among the believers!" 51