Pharaoh said to the nobles around him: "Surely this man is a skilled magician 34 Who wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery. Now what do you advise?" 35 They said, "Hold him and his brother off for a while 36 to mobilise all skilled magicians." 37 So the magicians were assembled at a stated time and place on an appointed day. 38 And the people were also asked to assemble. 39 so that we may follow the magicians, if they be the winners." 40 So when the sorcerers arrived, they said to Fir'aun (Pharaoh): "Will there surely be a reward for us if we are the winners?" 41 He said, “Yes, and you will then become close to me.” 42 Moses said to them: "Throw down whatever you wish to throw." 43 Thereupon they threw down their ropes and their rods, and said: "By the glory of Pharaoh, we shall prevail." 44 Then Moses cast down his staff and suddenly it swallowed up what they had falsely invented. 45 And the sorcerers fell down prostrate. 46 They said, “We have accepted faith in the Lord Of The Creation.” 47 The Lord of Musa and Harun. 48 Said (the Pharaoh): "You have come to believe in him before I gave you leave. He is surely your chief, who taught you magic. You will soon come to know: I will have your hands and feet cut off on alternate sides, and have every one of you crucified." 49 They said, "There is no harm. To our Lord we shall return. 50 Behold, we [but] ardently desire that our Sustainer forgive us our faults in return for our having been foremost among the believers!" 51