The Pharaoh said to the people around him, "He is certainly a skillful magician. 34 He would drive you out of your land through his magic; what then is it ye command? 35 They said, "Postpone [the matter of] him and his brother and send among the cities gatherers 36 "To bring up to you every well-versed sorcerer." 37 So all the magicians gathered together at the appointed time 38 The people were asked, 'Will you assemble? 39 in order that we shall follow the sorcerers if they are the victors' 40 Now when the sorcerers came, they said unto Pharaoh: "Verily, we ought to have a great reward if it is we who prevail. 41 Answered he: "Yea - and verily, in that case you shall be among those who are near unto me. 42 Musa said unto them: cast whatsoever ye have to cast. 43 Thereupon they threw down their ropes and their rods, and said: "By the glory of Pharaoh, we shall prevail." 44 Then Moses threw his staff, and at once it devoured what they falsified. 45 And the magicians were thrown down prostrate; 46 They said: we believe in the Lord of the worlds. 47 The Lord of Moses and Aaron. 48 Pharaoh said, "Have you come to believe in him, before I have given you permission? He is surely your master who has taught you magic. But you shall see. I will cut off your hands and feet on alternate sides and crucify you all." 49 They said: "We do not care, for we are bound to return to our Lord, 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