The Pharaoh said to the people around him, "He is certainly a skillful magician. 34 who wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery. What, then, do you advise?" 35 They replied: 'Put him and his brother off for a while, and send heralds to your cities 36 Who will bring you every learned, skilled magician." 37 So the wizards were gathered together at a set time on a day appointed. 38 The people were asked, 'Will you assemble? 39 We may perhaps follow the religion of the magicians if they triumph." 40 And when the wizards came they said unto Pharaoh: Will there surely be a reward for us if we are the winners? 41 He replied, "You will then be my closest associates". 42 Musa said to them: Cast what you are going to cast. 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 down his staff, and it swallowed up all that they had conjured into being. 45 so the sorcerers were cast down, bowing themselves. 46 They said, “We have accepted faith in the Lord Of The Creation.” 47 “The Lord of Moosa and Haroon.” 48 Said [Pharaoh]: "Have you come to believe in him ere I have given you permission? Verily, he must be your master who has taught you magic! But in time you shall come to know [my revenge]: most certainly shall I cut off your hands and your feet in great numbers, because of [your] perverseness, and shall most certainly crucify you in great numbers, all together!" 49 They said: "We do not care, for we are bound to return to our Lord, 50 Lo! we ardently hope that our Lord will forgive us our sins because we are the first of the believers. 51