[Pharaoh] said to the eminent ones around him, "Indeed, this is a learned magician. 34 who wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery. What, then, do you advise?" 35 They said, 'Put him and his brother off a while, and send among the cities musterers, 36 Who will bring you every learned, skilled magician." 37 So the sorcerers were assembled for the appointed time of a fixed day. 38 And it was said unto the people: are ye going to assemble. 39 We may perhaps follow the religion of the magicians if they triumph." 40 Then, when the sorcerers came, they said to Pharaoh, 'Shall we indeed have a wage, if we should be the victors?' 41 He replied, "You will then be my closest associates". 42 (Moses) asked the magicians, "Cast down what you want to". 43 So they cast their ropes and staffs, saying: 'By Pharaoh's might, we shall be the victors' 44 Then Moses threw his staff, and at once it devoured what they falsified. 45 So the magicians fell down in prostration [to Allah]. 46 They said, "We have believed in the Lord of the worlds, 47 The Lord of Musa and Haroun. 48 Said he: You believe in him before I give you permission; most surely he is the chief of you who taught you the magic, so you shall know: certainly I will cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and certainly I will crucify you all. 49 They said: "We do not care, for we are bound to 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