Fir'awn said unto the chiefs around him: verily this is a magician knowing. 34 He wants to drive you out of your land by his magic. So, what do you bid?" 35 They said: "Keep him and his brother in suspense (for a while), and dispatch to the Cities heralds to collect- 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 asked, "Will you all be there?" 39 "That we may follow the sorcerers (in religion) if they win?" 40 When the magicians came, they asked Pharaoh, "Shall we have a reward, if we are the winners?" 41 He replied, "You will then be my closest associates". 42 Moses said unto them: Throw what ye are going to throw! 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 cast down his staff and lo! it swallowed up the lies they told. 45 The magicians fell down prostrate, 46 They said, 'We believe in the Lord of all Being, 47 The Lord of Musa and Haroun. 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: It is no hurt, for lo! unto our Lord we shall return. 50 We are eager that our Lord should forgive us our offences, for that we are the first of the believers.' 51