The Pharaoh said to the people around him, "He is certainly a skillful magician. 34 "He wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery, then what is it your counsel, and what do you command?" 35 They said: "Put him off and his brother (for a while), and send callers to the cities 36 "And bring up to thee all (our) sorcerers well-versed." 37 And so the sorcerers were assembled at a set time on a certain day, 38 And it was said to the people: "Are you (too) going to assemble? 39 Belike we may follow the magicians if they are the winners? 40 And when the magicians arrived, they said to Pharaoh, "Is there indeed for us a reward if we are the predominant?" 41 He replied, "Certainly, in that case you will join my inner circle." 42 (Moses) asked the magicians, "Cast down what you want to". 43 So they cast their ropes and their staffs, and said, 'By the might of Pharaoh we shall be the victors.' 44 Then Moses threw down his staff, and lo, it swallowed up their conjurations. 45 And the wizards were flung prostrate, 46 [and] exclaimed: "We have come to believe in the Sustainer of all the worlds, 47 The Lord of Musa and Haroun. 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: "There will be no harm. We shall return to our Lord. 50 We are eager that our Lord should forgive us our offences, for that we are the first of the believers.' 51