[Pharaoh] said to the eminent ones around him, "Indeed, this is a learned magician. 34 He would drive you out of your land through his magic; what then is it ye command? 35 They said, "Hold him and his brother off for a while 36 "To bring up to you every well-versed sorcerer." 37 So the sorcerers were got together for the appointment of a day well-known, 38 and the people were told, "Will you also gather together, 39 so that we might follow [in the footsteps of] the sorcerers if it is they who prevail?" 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 replied, "You will then be my closest associates". 42 (Moses) asked the magicians, "Cast down what you want to". 43 Thereupon they threw their [magic ropes and their staffs, and said: "By Pharaoh's might, behold, it is we indeed who have prevailed!" 44 Then Moses threw down his staff, and it swallowed up all that they had conjured into being. 45 Thereupon the magicians fell down in prostration, 46 They said: we believe in the Lord of the worlds. 47 The Lord of Moses and Aaron." 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: It is no hurt, for lo! unto our Lord we shall return. 50 "Only, our desire is that our Lord will forgive us our faults, that we may become foremost among the believers!" 51