'This', said he (Pharaoh) to his Council, 'is a cunning sorcerer 34 He wants to drive you out of your land by his magic, so what do you advise?" 35 They said: "Put him off and his brother (for a while), and send callers to the cities 36 to mobilise all skilled magicians." 37 So the sorcerers were got together for the appointment of a day well-known, 38 And it was said to the people, “Have you (also) gathered?” 39 so that we might follow [in the footsteps of] the sorcerers if it is they who prevail?" 40 Then, when the sorcerers came, they said to Pharaoh, 'Shall we indeed have a wage, if we should be the victors?' 41 Answered he: "Yea - and verily, in that case you shall be among those who are near unto me. 42 Moses said to them: 'Cast down what you cast' 43 So they threw down their ropes and their staves and exclaimed, “By the honour of Firaun, indeed victory is ours!” 44 Then Moses threw down his staff, and lo, it swallowed up their conjurations. 45 Then the magicians flung themselves prostrate. 46 They said: we believe in the Lord of the worlds. 47 The Lord of Musa and Haroun. 48 Pharaoh said, "Have you come to believe in him, before I have given you permission? He is surely your master who has taught you magic. But you shall see. I will cut off your hands and feet on alternate sides and crucify you all." 49 They said: no harm! verily unto our Lord we are to return. 50 Verily we long that our Lord shall forgive us our faults because we have been the first of the believers 51