'This', said he (Pharaoh) to his Council, 'is a cunning sorcerer 34 who desires to expel you from your land by his sorcery; what do you command?' 35 They said, "Hold him and his brother off for a while 36 “To bring to you every expert great magician.” 37 So the sorcerers were gathered on the appointed day 38 And it was said to the people, “Have you (also) gathered?” 39 (They said): Aye, so that we may follow the wizards if they are the winners. 40 So when the magicians came, they said to Firaun, “Will we get some reward if we are victorious?” 41 He said: "Yes, and you shall then verily be of those brought near (to myself)." 42 Moses said to the magicians, "Throw down whatever you are going to throw." 43 So they cast their ropes and staffs, saying: 'By Pharaoh's might, we shall be the victors' 44 Then Musa (Moses) threw his stick, and behold, it swallowed up all the falsehoods which they showed! 45 And the wizards were flung prostrate, 46 [and] exclaimed: "We have come to believe in the Sustainer of all the worlds, 47 The Lord of Musa and Haroun. 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; surely unto our Lord we are turning. 50 We are eager that Our Lord should forgive us our offenses, for we are the first of the believers' 51