The Pharaoh said to the people around him, "He is certainly a skillful magician. 34 who wants to drive you out of your land by his magic. Tell us, what do you advise us?" 35 They said: "Detain him and his brother for a while and send forth heralds to the cities 36 to bring thee every cunning sorcerer. 37 So the magicians were gathered at a set time on a day appointed. 38 And the people were also asked to assemble. 39 The people said, “Perhaps we may follow the magicians if they are victorious.” 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: Aye, and ye will then surely be of those brought near (to me). 42 Moses said to them: 'Cast down what you cast' 43 Then they cast their cords and their staves, and said: by the might of Fir'awn, verily we! we shall be the winners. 44 Then Moses threw down his staff, and it swallowed up all that they had conjured into being. 45 So the magicians fell down in prostration [to Allah]. 46 They said: We believe in the Lord of the worlds: 47 The Lord of Musa and Haroun. 48 [Pharaoh] said, "You believed Moses before I gave you permission. Indeed, he is your leader who has taught you magic, but you are going to know. I will surely cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will surely crucify you all." 49 They said, "No harm. Indeed, to our Lord we will return. 50 Lo! we ardently hope that our Lord will forgive us our sins because we are the first of the believers. 51