'This', said he (Pharaoh) to his Council, 'is a cunning sorcerer 34 who seeks to expel you from your land by his sorcery. What is your counsel' 35 They said, 'Put him and his brother off a while, and send among the cities musterers, 36 to mobilise all skilled magicians." 37 The sorcerers were gathered at the appointed time on a wellknown day, 38 And the people were told: "Are ye (now) assembled?- 39 That we might follow the magicians if they are the predominant?" 40 When the magicians came forth (for the encounter) they said to Pharaoh: "Is there a reward for us if we triumph?" 41 "Yes," he replied. "You 'will be among the honoured." 42 Musa said unto them: cast whatsoever ye have to cast. 43 Then they threw down their cords and their staves and said: By Pharaoh's might, lo! we verily are the winners. 44 Then Moses threw down his staff, and it swallowed up all that they had conjured into being. 45 The magicians therefore fell down prostrate. 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 Behold, we [but] ardently desire that our Sustainer forgive us our faults in return for our having been foremost among the believers!" 51