Pharaoh said to the nobles around him: "Surely this man is a skilled magician 34 He would drive you out of your land through his magic; what then is it ye command? 35 They said, "Let him and his brother wait a while, and send heralds into the cities, 36 Who shall bring unto thee every knowing wizard. 37 So the wizards were gathered together at a set time on a day appointed. 38 and the people were asked: Are you all present, 39 so that we may follow the magicians, if they be the winners." 40 When the magicians came forth (for the encounter) they said to Pharaoh: "Is there a reward for us if we triumph?" 41 He said: yea; and ye shall verily then be of those brought nigh. 42 Moses said to the magicians, "Throw down whatever you are going to throw." 43 So they cast down their cords and their rods and said: By Firon's power, we shall most surely be victorious. 44 Then Moses threw his staff and lo! it swallowed that which they did falsely show. 45 So the magicians fell down in prostration [to Allah]. 46 [and] exclaimed: "We have come to believe in the Sustainer of all the worlds, 47 "The Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 Said (Pharaoh): "Believe ye in Him before I give you permission? surely he is your leader, who has taught you sorcery! but soon shall ye know! Be sure I will cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will cause you all to die on the cross!" 49 They said, "There is no harm. To 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