The Pharaoh said to the chiefs around him: "He is certainly a clever magician. 34 who wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery. What, then, do you advise?" 35 They said: "Keep him and his brother in suspense (for a while), and dispatch to the Cities heralds to collect- 36 Who will bring you every learned, skilled magician." 37 And so the sorcerers were assembled at a set time on a certain day, 38 And the people were told: "Are ye (now) assembled?- 39 Belike we may follow the magicians if they are the winners? 40 And when the wizards came they said unto Pharaoh: Will there surely be a reward for us if we are the winners? 41 He said, "Yes, and indeed, you will then be of those near [to me]." 42 Moses said to the magicians, "Throw down whatever you are going to throw." 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 threw down his staff, and lo, it swallowed up their conjurations. 45 The magicians fell down in adoration 46 They said: we believe in the Lord of the worlds. 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: It is no hurt, for lo! unto our Lord we shall return. 50 Verily we long that our Lord shall forgive us our faults because we have been the first of the believers 51