[Fir'aun (Pharaoh)] said to the chiefs around him: "Verily! This is indeed a well-versed sorcerer. 34 who wants to drive you out of your land by his magic. Tell us, what do you advise us?" 35 They said, "Hold him and his brother off for a while 36 "And bring up to thee all (our) sorcerers well-versed." 37 So the magicians were assembled at a set time on a day made known. 38 And it was said to the people: Will you gather together? 39 in order that we shall follow the sorcerers if they are the victors' 40 And when the magicians arrived, they said to Pharaoh, "Is there indeed for us a reward if we are the predominant?" 41 "Yes," he replied. "You 'will be among the honoured." 42 Moses said to the magicians, "Throw down whatever you are going to throw." 43 So they cast their ropes and their staffs, and said, 'By the might of Pharaoh we shall be the victors.' 44 Then Musa cast down his staff and lo! it swallowed up the lies they told. 45 The magicians therefore fell down prostrate. 46 They said, "We have believed in the Lord of the worlds, 47 The Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 (Pharaoh) said: Ye put your faith in him before I give you leave. Lo! he doubtless is your chief who taught you magic! But verily ye shall come to know. Verily I will cut off your hands and your feet alternately, and verily I will crucify you every one. 49 They said: "We do not care, for we are bound to 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