The elders of Pharaoh's people said: 'Surely this man is a skilful magician 109 who seeks to drive you from your land what do you command' 110 They said: "Put him and his brother off (awhile) and send out heralds to the cities 111 to summon every wellversed sorcerer to you' 112 The sorcerers came to Pharaoh. They said: 'Shall we be rewarded if we are the winners' 113 He answered: Yes, and surely ye shall be of those brought near (to me). 114 They said: "O Musa (Moses)! Either you throw (first), or shall we have the (first) throw?" 115 "You cast it first," answered Moses. When they cast their spell, they bewitched the eyes of the people and petrified them by conjuring up a great charm. 116 And we revealed unto Musa: cast down thy rod. And lo! it was swallowing up that which they had feigned. 117 ۞ Thus the truth was upheld, and the falsehood that they practised was exposed. 118 Thus there and then they were vanquished and overthrown, humiliated. 119 And the magicians were obliged to fall prostrate. 120 They said: we believe in the Lord of the worlds. 121 "The Lord of Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron)." 122 But Pharaoh said: "You have come to accept belief in Him without my permission! This surely is a plot you have hatched to expel the people from the land. You will soon come to know. 123 "Be sure I will cut off your hands and your feet on apposite sides, and I will cause you all to die on the cross." 124 The magicians said, "We will certainly return to Our Lord. 125 You only take revenge on us because we believed in the Lord when we saw His miracles. Lord, grant us patience and let us die Muslims (submitted to God)." 126