The Pharaoh said to the people around him, "He is certainly a skillful magician. 34 Who would drive you out of your land by his magic. Now what counsel ye? 35 They said: "Detain him and his brother for a while and send forth heralds to the cities 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 and the people were asked: 'Will you gather 39 We may perhaps follow the religion of the magicians if they triumph." 40 Then, when the sorcerers came to Pharaoh, they said: 'Shall we receive a wage if we win' 41 He said: yea; and ye shall verily then be of those brought nigh. 42 Moses said to them: "Throw ye - that which ye are about to throw!" 43 So they cast down their ropes and staffs, and said, "By Pharaoh's honour, we shall surely win." 44 Then Moses cast down his staff and suddenly it swallowed up what they had falsely invented. 45 The magicians therefore fell down prostrate. 46 They said: we believe in the Lord of the worlds. 47 the Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 Pharaoh said, "Have you come to believe in him, before I have given you permission? He is surely your master who has taught you magic. But you shall see. I will cut off your hands and feet on alternate sides and crucify you all." 49 They said, "There is no harm. To our Lord we shall return. 50 "Verily! We really hope that our Lord will forgive us our sins, as we are the first of the believers [in Musa (Moses) and in the Monotheism which he has brought from Allah]." 51