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 sorcery, then what is it your counsel, and what do you command?" 35 They said: "Detain him and his brother for a while and send forth heralds to the cities 36 who shall bring to you every skilful sorcerer." 37 So the magicians were assembled at a stated time and place on an appointed day. 38 and the people were asked: 'Will you gather 39 "That we may follow the sorcerers (in religion) if they win?" 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 replied, "You will then be my closest associates". 42 Musa (Moses) said to them: "Throw what you are going to throw!" 43 So they cast down their ropes and staffs, and said, "By Pharaoh's honour, we shall surely win." 44 Then Musa cast down his staff and lo! it swallowed up the lies they told. 45 And the sorcerers fell down prostrate. 46 saying: "We (now) believe in the Lord of the Universe, 47 the Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 Said Firaun, “You accepted faith in him before I permitted you! He is indeed your leader who taught you magic; so now you will come to know; I swear, I will certainly cut off your hands and your feet from alternate sides, and crucify all of you.” 49 They said, “No harm (in it), we will 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