Pharaoh said to the chiefs around him, "Surely this man is a skilful sorcerer. 34 who wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery. What, then, do you advise?" 35 They said, 'Put him and his brother off a while, and send among the cities musterers, 36 to bring thee every cunning sorcerer. 37 So all the magicians gathered together at the appointed time 38 and the people were asked, "Will you all be there?" 39 The people said, “Perhaps we may follow the magicians if they are victorious.” 40 When the magicians came, they asked Pharaoh, "Shall we have a reward, if we are the winners?" 41 He said: Aye, and ye will then surely be of those brought near (to me). 42 Moses said to them, 'Cast you down what you will cast.' 43 So they threw their ropes and their rods, and said: "By the might of Pharaoh, it is we who will certainly win!" 44 Thereafter, Moses threw down his rod and behold, it went about swallowing up all the false devices they had contrived. 45 And the sorcerers fell down prostrate. 46 [and] exclaimed: "We have come to believe in the Sustainer of all the worlds, 47 the Sustainer of Moses and Aaron!" 48 The Pharaoh said, "You believed without my permission? He seems to be your chief who has taught you magic. But you will soon know (the result of what you have done). I shall certainly cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides and crucify you all together." 49 They answered: "No harm [canst thou do to us]: verily, unto our Sustainer do we turn! 50 Lo! we ardently hope that our Lord will forgive us our sins because we are the first of the believers. 51