Said [pharaoh] unto the great ones around him: "Verily, this is indeed a sorcerer of great knowledge 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 shall bring unto thee every knowing wizard. 37 So the magicians were assembled at a set time on a day made known. 38 And the people were told: "Are ye (now) assembled?- 39 Belike we may follow the magicians 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 will then become close to me.” 42 Moses said to the magicians, "Throw down whatever you are going to throw." 43 So they cast their ropes and staffs, saying: 'By Pharaoh's might, we shall be the victors' 44 Then Musa (Moses) threw his stick, and behold, it swallowed up all the falsehoods which they showed! 45 so the sorcerers were cast down, bowing themselves. 46 They said, 'We believe in the Lord of all Being, 47 The Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 Said (Pharaoh): "Believe ye in Him before I give you permission? surely he is your leader, who has taught you sorcery! but soon shall ye know! Be sure I will cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will cause you all to die on the cross!" 49 They said: no harm! verily unto our Lord we are to return. 50 Behold, we [but] ardently desire that our Sustainer forgive us our faults in return for our having been foremost among the believers!" 51