Pharaoh said to the nobles around him: "Surely this man is a skilled 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 to bring thee every cunning sorcerer. 37 So the magicians were gathered together at the appointed time on the fixed day, 38 And it was said unto the people: Are ye (also) gathering? 39 so that we might follow [in the footsteps of] the sorcerers if it is they who prevail?" 40 When the magicians came, they asked Pharaoh, "Shall we have a reward, if we are the winners?" 41 He said: Yes, and surely you will then be of those who are made near. 42 Musa said unto them: cast whatsoever ye have to cast. 43 Then they threw down their cords and their staves and said: By Pharaoh's might, lo! we verily are the winners. 44 Thereafter, Moses threw down his rod and behold, it went about swallowing up all the false devices they had contrived. 45 And the wizards were flung prostrate, 46 They said, "We have believed in the Lord of the worlds, 47 The Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 [Pharaoh] said, "You believed Moses before I gave you permission. Indeed, he is your leader who has taught you magic, but you are going to know. I will surely cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will surely crucify you all." 49 'There is no harm' they replied, 'for surely to 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