'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 bid?" 35 They said, "Let him and his brother wait a while, and send heralds into the cities, 36 Who will bring you every learned, skilled magician." 37 And so the sorcerers were assembled at a set time on a certain day, 38 and the people were asked, "Will you all be there?" 39 Belike we may follow the magicians if they are the winners? 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 Musa said unto them: cast whatsoever ye have to cast. 43 So they cast down their ropes and staffs saying, "By the honor of the Pharaoh we shall certainly become the winners". 44 Then Moses threw his staff, and at once it devoured what they falsified. 45 And the sorcerers fell down prostrate. 46 They said, 'We believe in the Lord of all Being, 47 “The Lord of Moosa and Haroon.” 48 Said Pharaoh, 'You have believed him before I gave you leave. Why, he is the chief of you, the same that taught you sorcery; now you shall know! I shall assuredly cut off alternately your hands and feet, then I shall crucify you all together.' 49 They said: No harm; surely to our Lord we go back; 50 Behold, we [but] ardently desire that our Sustainer forgive us our faults in return for our having been foremost among the believers!" 51