Said he to the Council about him, 'Surely this man is a cunning sorcerer 34 He would drive you out of your land through his magic; what then is it ye command? 35 They replied: 'Put him and his brother off for a while, and send heralds to your cities 36 That they may bring to thee every magician knowing. 37 So the sorcerers were assembled at a fixed time on a day appointed. 38 And it was said to the people: Will you gather together? 39 Haply we shall follow the sorcerers if it should be they are the victors.' 40 So when the sorcerers arrived, they said to Fir'aun (Pharaoh): "Will there surely be a reward for us if we are the winners?" 41 He said: "Yea, (and more),- for ye shall in that case be (raised to posts) nearest (to my person)." 42 Moses said to them, "Throw whatever you will throw." 43 So they cast down their ropes and staffs, and said, "By Pharaoh's honour, we shall surely win." 44 Then Moses threw his staff, and at once it devoured what they falsified. 45 And down fell the sorcerers, prostrating themselves in adoration, 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 will be no harm. We shall 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