The Pharaoh said to the people around him, "He is certainly a skillful magician. 34 who seeks to expel you from your land by his sorcery. What is your counsel' 35 They said, "Postpone [the matter of] him and his brother and send among the cities gatherers 36 and summon every skillful magician from all the cities." 37 So the sorcerers were got together for the appointment of a day well-known, 38 The people were asked, 'Will you assemble? 39 Haply we shall follow the sorcerers if it should be they are the victors.' 40 And when the magicians arrived, they said to Pharaoh, "Is there indeed for us a reward if we are the predominant?" 41 He said: "Yes, you will then become those near-stationed to me." 42 (Moses) asked the magicians, "Cast down what you want to". 43 So they threw down their ropes and their staves and exclaimed, “By the honour of Firaun, indeed victory is ours!” 44 Then Moses threw down his staff, and lo, it swallowed up their conjurations. 45 Then the magicians flung themselves prostrate. 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: "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