The Pharaoh said to the people around him, "He is certainly a skillful magician. 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 who shall bring to you every skilful sorcerer." 37 So the magicians were brought together on a particular day at a set time 38 and the people were told, "Will you also gather together, 39 Haply we may follow the magicians, if they are the vanquishers. 40 When the magicians arrived, they said to the Pharaoh: "Is there a reward for us if we are victorious?" -- 41 "Yes," he replied. "You 'will be among the honoured." 42 Moses said to them, 'Cast you down what you will cast.' 43 Thereupon they threw down their ropes and their rods, and said: "By the glory of Pharaoh, we shall prevail." 44 Thereafter, Moses threw down his rod and behold, it went about swallowing up all the false devices they had contrived. 45 And down fell the sorcerers, prostrating themselves in adoration, 46 [and] exclaimed: "We have come to believe in the Sustainer of all the worlds, 47 the Sustainer 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: "No harm! Surely, to our Lord (Allah) we are to return; 50 and we surely expect that Our Lord will forgive us our sins for we are the first ones to believe." 51