(Pharaoh) said to the Chiefs around him: "This is indeed a sorcerer well-versed: 34 "His plan is to get you out of your land by his sorcery; then what is it ye counsel?" 35 They said, 'Put him and his brother off a while, and send among the cities musterers, 36 to bring thee every cunning sorcerer. 37 So the magicians were assembled at a set time on a day made known. 38 and the people were asked, "Will you all be there?" 39 "That we may follow the sorcerers (in religion) if they win?" 40 Now when the sorcerers came, they said unto Pharaoh: "Verily, we ought to have a great reward if it is we who prevail. 41 "Yes," he replied. "You 'will be among the honoured." 42 [And] Moses said unto them: "Throw whatever you are going to throw!" 43 So they cast their ropes and their staffs, and said, 'By the might of Pharaoh we shall be the victors.' 44 Then Moses threw his staff and lo! it swallowed that which they did falsely show. 45 Then did the sorcerers fall down, prostrate in adoration, 46 Crying: We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, 47 The Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 Pharaoh said, "Have you come to believe in him, before I have given you permission? He is surely your master who has taught you magic. But you shall see. I will cut off your hands and feet on alternate sides and crucify you all." 49 They said, “No harm (in it), we will return to our Lord.” 50 Behold, we [but] ardently desire that our Sustainer forgive us our faults in return for our having been foremost among the believers!" 51