Said he to the Council about him, 'Surely this man is a cunning sorcerer 34 "His plan is to get you out of your land by his sorcery; then what is it ye counsel?" 35 They said: "Detain him and his brother for a while and send forth heralds to the cities 36 Who will bring you every learned, skilled magician." 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): Aye, so that we may follow the wizards if they are the winners. 40 When the magicians came, they asked Pharaoh, "Shall we have a reward, if we are the winners?" 41 He said: "Yes, and you shall then verily be of those brought near (to myself)." 42 Musa said to them: Cast what you are going to cast. 43 So they cast their ropes and staffs, saying: 'By Pharaoh's might, we shall be the victors' 44 Then Moses cast his staff and lo, it forthwith swallowed up their lying invention; 45 And the sorcerers fell down prostrate. 46 They said: we believe in the Lord of the worlds. 47 the Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 [Fir'aun (Pharaoh)] said: "You have believed in him before I give you leave. Surely, he indeed is your chief, who has taught you magic! So verily, you shall come to know. Verily, I will cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will crucify you all." 49 They said, "There is no harm. To our Lord we shall return. 50 Lo! we ardently hope that our Lord will forgive us our sins because we are the first of the believers. 51