Pharaoh said to the nobles around him: "Surely this man is a skilled magician 34 who desires to expel you from your land by his sorcery; what do you command?' 35 They said: "Keep him and his brother in suspense (for a while), and dispatch to the Cities heralds to collect- 36 to bring every knowledgeable sorcerer' 37 So the wizards were gathered together at a set time on a day appointed. 38 and the people were asked: 'Will you gather 39 so that we may follow the magicians, if they be the winners." 40 When the magicians arrived, they said to the Pharaoh: "Is there a reward for us if we are victorious?" -- 41 He said: Yes, and surely you will then be of those who are made near. 42 [And] Moses said unto them: "Throw whatever you are going to throw!" 43 So they threw down their ropes and their staves and exclaimed, “By the honour of Firaun, indeed victory is ours!” 44 Then Moses cast down his staff and it swallowed up their lying invention, 45 And the wizards were flung prostrate, 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 matter! for us, we shall but return to our Lord! 50 Verily we long that our Lord shall forgive us our faults because we have been the first of the believers 51