Pharaoh said to the nobles around him: "Surely this man is a skilled magician 34 Who would drive you out of your land by his magic. Now what counsel ye? 35 They said: "Put him off and his brother (for a while), and send callers to the cities 36 who shall assemble before thee all sorcerers of great knowledge" 37 So the magicians were gathered together at the appointed time on the fixed day, 38 And it was said unto the people: are ye going to assemble. 39 That we might follow the magicians if they are the predominant?" 40 Then when the magicians came, they said unto Fir'awn: will there surely be a big hire for us if we are the winners? 41 He replied, "You will then be my closest associates". 42 Moses said to them, "Throw whatever you will throw." 43 So they cast down their ropes and staffs, and said, "By Pharaoh's honour, we shall surely win." 44 Then Musa cast down his staff, and lo! it swallowed up that which they had devised. 45 so the sorcerers were cast down, bowing themselves. 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 does not matter. We shall be returning 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