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 sorcery, then what is it your counsel, and what do you command?" 35 They said: "Keep him and his brother in suspense (for a while), and dispatch to the Cities heralds to collect- 36 Who will bring you every learned, skilled magician." 37 So the magicians were brought together on a particular day at a set time 38 And it was said unto the people: Are ye (also) gathering? 39 We may perhaps follow the religion of the magicians if they triumph." 40 When the magicians arrived, they said to the Pharaoh: "Is there a reward for us if we are victorious?" -- 41 He said: "Yea, (and more),- for ye shall in that case be (raised to posts) nearest (to my person)." 42 [And] Moses said unto them: "Throw whatever you are going to throw!" 43 So they cast their ropes and their staffs, and said, 'By the might of Pharaoh we shall be the victors.' 44 Thereafter, Moses threw down his rod and behold, it went about swallowing up all the false devices they had contrived. 45 So the magicians fell down in prostration [to Allah]. 46 Saying: "We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, 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: "There will be no harm. We shall return to our Lord. 50 We are eager that our Lord should forgive us our offences, for that we are the first of the believers.' 51