Pharaoh said to the nobles around him: "Surely this man is a skilled magician 34 who wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery. What, then, do you advise?" 35 They said, "Hold him and his brother off for a while 36 And bring the ablest magicians to you." 37 So the wizards were gathered together at a set time on a day appointed. 38 and the people were asked, "Will you all be there?" 39 so that we might follow [in the footsteps of] the sorcerers if it is they who prevail?" 40 When the magicians came forth (for the encounter) they said to Pharaoh: "Is there a reward for us if we triumph?" 41 He said: "Yes, you will then become those near-stationed to me." 42 Moses said to them: "Cast what you 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 Then Moses cast down his staff and suddenly it swallowed up what they had falsely invented. 45 And down fell the sorcerers, prostrating themselves in adoration, 46 Saying: "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; surely unto our Lord we are turning. 50 "Verily! We really hope that our Lord will forgive us our sins, as we are the first of the believers [in Musa (Moses) and in the Monotheism which he has brought from Allah]." 51