Said [pharaoh] unto the great ones around him: "Verily, this is indeed a sorcerer of great knowledge 34 Who would drive you out of your land by his magic. Now what counsel ye? 35 They said, "Let him and his brother wait a while, and send heralds into the cities, 36 That they should bring to you every skillful magician. 37 So the magicians were brought together on a particular day at a set time 38 And it was said to the people: "Are you (too) going to assemble? 39 so that we might follow [in the footsteps of] the sorcerers if it is they who prevail?" 40 Now when the sorcerers came, they said unto Pharaoh: "Verily, we ought to have a great reward if it is we who prevail. 41 He replied, "You will then be my closest associates". 42 Moses said to them: "Cast what you have to cast." 43 Thereupon they threw down their ropes and their rods, and said: "By the glory of Pharaoh, we shall prevail." 44 Then Musa cast down his staff and lo! it swallowed up the lies they told. 45 And the sorcerers fell down prostrate. 46 They said, 'We believe in the Lord of all Being, 47 The Lord of Musa and Haroun. 48 Said Firaun, “You accepted faith in him before I permitted you! He is indeed your leader who taught you magic; so now you will come to know; I swear, I will certainly cut off your hands and your feet from alternate sides, and crucify all of you.” 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