The Pharaoh said to the chiefs around him: "He is certainly a clever magician. 34 He wants to drive you out of your land by his magic, so 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 bring to you every skilful sorcerer." 37 So the wizards were gathered together at a set time on a day appointed. 38 And it was said to the people: "Are you (too) going to assemble? 39 (They said): "We may haply follow the magicians if they are victorious." 40 So when the sorcerers arrived, they said to Pharaoh: "Of course - shall we have a (suitable) reward if we win? 41 "Yes," he replied. "You 'will be among the honoured." 42 [And] Moses said unto them: "Throw whatever you are going to throw!" 43 Then they threw down their cords and their staves and said: By Pharaoh's might, lo! we verily are the winners. 44 Then Moses cast down his staff and suddenly it swallowed up what they had falsely invented. 45 Then the magicians flung themselves prostrate. 46 They said: we believe in the Lord of the worlds. 47 "The Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 The Pharaoh said, "You believed without my permission? He seems to be your chief who has taught you magic. But you will soon know (the result of what you have done). I shall certainly cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides and crucify you all together." 49 They said: "No matter! for us, we shall but return to our Lord! 50 Verily we long that our Lord shall forgive us our faults because we have been the first of the believers 51