Some of the Pharaoh's nobles considered him to be no more than a skillful magician 109 and said, "He wants to expel you from your land." They asked (others), " what is your opinion in the matter? 110 They answered: "Let him and his brother wait awhile, and send unto all cities heralds 111 to summon every wellversed sorcerer to you' 112 And the magicians came to Pharaoh. They said, "Indeed for us is a reward if we are the predominant." 113 He said: "Yea, (and more),- for ye shall in that case be (raised to posts) nearest (to my person)." 114 They said, "Moses, will you first throw, or shall we?" 115 "You cast it first," answered Moses. When they cast their spell, they bewitched the eyes of the people and petrified them by conjuring up a great charm. 116 Then We inspired Moses, saying, "Throw down your staff." And it immediately swallowed up their false devices. 117 ۞ Thus the truth prevailed and what they had produced came to nothing: 118 they were defeated and turned belittled, 119 and the magicians flung themselves prostrate, 120 and said, "We believe in the Lord of the Universe, 121 the Sustainer of Moses and Aaron!" 122 Pharaoh said: 'What! Do you believe before you have my permission? Surely this is a plot you have contrived to drive out the rulers from the capital. So you shall see, 123 I will cut off your hands and feet on alternate sides and then crucify you all!" 124 They replied: 'We shall surely return to our Lord. 125 And what is it for which thou takest vengeance on us save that we have believed in the signs of our Lord when they came unto us? Our Lord! pour out upon us perseverance and cause us to die as Muslims. 126