Some of the Pharaoh's nobles considered him to be no more than a skillful magician 109 who wants to drive you out of your land! " [Said Pharaoh:] "What, then, do you advise?" 110 They said, 'Put him and his brother off a while, and send among the cities musterers, 111 to summon every wellversed sorcerer to you' 112 And the magicians came to Pharaoh and said: 'Shall we have a reward if we win?' 113 He said, 'Yes, indeed; and you shall be among the near-stationed.' 114 They said: "O Moses! wilt thou 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 [then] We inspired Moses, "Throw down thy staff!" - and lo! it swallowed up all their deceptions: 117 ۞ So, the truth prevailed and what they were doing was annulled; 118 So they were vanquished there, and they turned about, humbled. 119 And the magicians flung themselves prostrate. 120 saying: 'We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, 121 the Lord of Moses and Aaron.' 122 Said Pharaoh: "Believe ye in Him before I give you permission? Surely this is a trick which ye have planned in the city to drive out its people: but soon shall ye know (the consequences). 123 “I swear I will cut off your hands and your feet from alternate sides and then crucify you all.” 124 They said, "Indeed, to our Lord we will return. 125 Will you punish us just because we believed in the signs of our Lord when they came to us? Our Lord! Shower us with perseverance and cause us to die as those who have submitted [to You].' 126