[Pharaoh] said to the eminent ones around him, "Indeed, this is a learned magician. 34 Who wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery. Now what do you advise?" 35 They replied: 'Put him and his brother off for a while, and send heralds to your cities 36 who shall assemble before thee all sorcerers of great knowledge" 37 The sorcerers were gathered at the appointed time on a wellknown day, 38 And the people were told: "Are ye (now) assembled?- 39 so that we might follow [in the footsteps of] the sorcerers if it is they who prevail?" 40 When the magicians arrived, they said to the Pharaoh: "Is there a reward for us if we are victorious?" -- 41 He said: "Yea, (and more),- for ye shall in that case be (raised to posts) nearest (to my person)." 42 (Moses) asked the magicians, "Cast down what you want to". 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 Musa (Moses) threw his stick, and behold, it swallowed up all the falsehoods which they showed! 45 And down fell the sorcerers, prostrating themselves in adoration, 46 [and] exclaimed: "We have come to believe in the Sustainer of all the worlds, 47 The Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 Said (the Pharaoh): "You have come to believe in him before I gave you leave. He is surely your chief, who taught you magic. You will soon come to know: I will have your hands and feet cut off on alternate sides, and have every one of you crucified." 49 They said: no harm! verily unto our Lord we are to return. 50 We are eager that our Lord should forgive us our offences, for that we are the first of the believers.' 51