[Pharaoh] said to the eminent ones around him, "Indeed, this is a learned magician. 34 who wants to drive you out of your land by his magic. Tell us, what do you advise us?" 35 They said: "Detain him and his brother for a while and send forth heralds to the cities 36 Who shall bring unto thee every knowing wizard. 37 So the sorcerers were assembled for the appointed time of a fixed day. 38 and the people were told: "Will you join the assembly? 39 That we might follow the magicians if they are the predominant?" 40 Then, when the sorcerers came, they said to Pharaoh, 'Shall we indeed have a wage, if we should be the victors?' 41 He said: Yes, and surely you will then be of those who are made near. 42 Moses said to them: 'Cast down what you cast' 43 Then they cast their cords and their staves, and said: by the might of Fir'awn, verily we! we shall be the winners. 44 Then Musa cast down his staff and lo! it swallowed up the lies they told. 45 So the magicians fell down in prostration [to Allah]. 46 saying: "We (now) believe in the Lord of the Universe, 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