(Pharaoh) said unto the chiefs about him: Lo! this is verily a knowing wizard, 34 who seeks to expel you from your land by his sorcery. What is your counsel' 35 They answered: "Let him and his brother wait a while, and send unto all cities heralds 36 to mobilise all skilled magicians." 37 So the sorcerers were assembled for the appointed time of a fixed day. 38 and the people were asked: Are you all present, 39 "That we may follow the sorcerers (in religion) if they win?" 40 When the magicians came, they asked Pharaoh, "Shall we have a reward, if we are the winners?" 41 Answered he: "Yea - and verily, in that case you shall be among those who are near unto me. 42 Moses said to them, 'Cast you down what you will cast.' 43 So they cast down their ropes and staffs saying, "By the honor of the Pharaoh we shall certainly become the winners". 44 Then Moses cast down his staff and it swallowed up their lying invention, 45 And the sorcerers fell down prostrate. 46 Saying: "We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, 47 the Sustainer of Moses and Aaron!" 48 Said [Pharaoh]: "Have you come to believe in him ere I have given you permission? Verily, he must be your master who has taught you magic! But in time you shall come to know [my revenge]: most certainly shall I cut off your hands and your feet in great numbers, because of [your] perverseness, and shall most certainly crucify you in great numbers, all together!" 49 They said: "No matter! for us, we shall but return to our Lord! 50 Indeed, we aspire that our Lord will forgive us our sins because we were the first of the believers." 51