[Pharaoh] said to the eminent ones around him, "Indeed, this is a learned magician. 34 who seeks to expel you from your land by his sorcery. What is your counsel' 35 They said, 'Put him and his brother off a while, and send among the cities musterers, 36 Who will bring you every learned, skilled magician." 37 So the magicians were gathered together at the appointed time on the fixed day, 38 and the people were told: "Will you join the assembly? 39 We may perhaps follow the religion of the magicians if they triumph." 40 And when the magicians came, they said to Firon: Shall we get a reward if we are the vanquishers? 41 He replied, "You will then be my closest associates". 42 [And] Moses said unto them: "Throw whatever you are going to throw!" 43 So they threw down their ropes and their staves and exclaimed, “By the honour of Firaun, indeed victory is ours!” 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 saying, "We believe in the Lord of the Universe 47 the Lord of Moses and Aaron.' 48 Said (Pharaoh): "Believe ye in Him before I give you permission? surely he is your leader, who has taught you sorcery! but soon shall ye know! Be sure I will cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will cause you all to die on the cross!" 49 They said, “No harm (in it), we will return to our Lord.” 50 Lo! we ardently hope that our Lord will forgive us our sins because we are the first of the believers. 51