'This', said he (Pharaoh) to his Council, 'is a cunning sorcerer 34 "He wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery, then what is it your counsel, and what do you command?" 35 They said, "Hold him and his brother off for a while 36 "To bring up to you every well-versed sorcerer." 37 The sorcerers were gathered at the appointed time on a wellknown day, 38 and the people were asked: 'Will you gather 39 Belike we may follow the magicians if they are the winners? 40 And when the magicians came, they said to Firon: Shall we get a reward if we are the vanquishers? 41 He said: "Yes, and you shall then verily be of those brought near (to myself)." 42 Moses said unto them: Throw what ye are going to throw! 43 So they cast down their ropes and staffs, and said, "By Pharaoh's honour, we shall surely win." 44 Thereafter, Moses threw down his rod and behold, it went about swallowing up all the false devices they had contrived. 45 So the magicians fell down in prostration [to Allah]. 46 And said: "We (affirm and) believe in the Lord of all the worlds, 47 "The Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 [Fir'aun (Pharaoh)] said: "You have believed in him before I give you leave. Surely, he indeed is your chief, who has taught you magic! So verily, you shall come to know. Verily, I will cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will crucify you all." 49 They said, "It does not matter. We shall be returning to our Lord. 50 and we surely expect that Our Lord will forgive us our sins for we are the first ones to believe." 51