The Pharaoh said to the people around him, "He is certainly a skillful magician. 34 who wants to drive you out of your land by his magic. Tell us, what do you advise us?" 35 They said: "Detain him and his brother for a while and send forth heralds to the cities 36 Who shall bring unto thee every knowing wizard. 37 So the sorcerers were assembled at a fixed time on a day appointed. 38 And the people were told: "Are ye (now) assembled?- 39 (They said): "We may haply follow the magicians if they are victorious." 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 them: "Throw down whatever you wish to throw." 43 Then they cast their cords and their staves, and said: by the might of Fir'awn, verily we! we shall be the winners. 44 Then Moses cast his staff and lo, it forthwith swallowed up their lying invention; 45 The magicians fell down prostrate, 46 saying: "We (now) believe in the Lord of the Universe, 47 The Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 Said Pharaoh, 'You have believed him before I gave you leave. Why, he is the chief of you, the same that taught you sorcery; now you shall know! I shall assuredly cut off alternately your hands and feet, then I shall crucify you all together.' 49 They said, "No harm. Indeed, to our Lord we will 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