Said [pharaoh] unto the great ones around him: "Verily, this is indeed a sorcerer of great knowledge 34 who desires to expel you from your land by his sorcery; what do you command?' 35 They said: Put him off, (him) and his brother, and send into the cities summoners 36 to bring every knowledgeable sorcerer' 37 So all the magicians gathered together at the appointed time 38 And it was said to the people: Will you gather together? 39 "That we may follow the sorcerers (in religion) if they win?" 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, and surely you will then be of those who are made near. 42 Musa (Moses) said to them: "Throw what you are going to throw!" 43 So they threw down their ropes and their staves and exclaimed, “By the honour of Firaun, indeed victory is ours!” 44 Then Moses cast his staff and lo, it forthwith swallowed up their lying invention; 45 And down fell the sorcerers, prostrating themselves in adoration, 46 They said: we believe in the Lord of the worlds. 47 The Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 Said Pharaoh, 'You have believed him before I gave you leave. Why, he is the chief of you, the same that taught you sorcery; now you shall know! I shall assuredly cut off alternately your hands and feet, then I shall crucify you all together.' 49 They answered: "No harm [canst thou do to us]: verily, unto our Sustainer do we turn! 50 Indeed, we aspire that our Lord will forgive us our sins because we were the first of the believers." 51