Pharaoh said to the chiefs around him, "Surely this man is a skilful sorcerer. 34 He would drive you out of your land through his magic; what then is it ye command? 35 They said: "Put him off and his brother (for a while), and send callers to the cities 36 to bring every knowledgeable sorcerer' 37 So the magicians were assembled at a set time on a day made known. 38 and the people were asked, "Will you all be there?" 39 We may perhaps follow the religion of the magicians if they triumph." 40 So when the sorcerers arrived, they said to Pharaoh: "Of course - shall we have a (suitable) reward if we win? 41 He said: "Yes, you will then become those near-stationed to me." 42 Moses said to them: "Throw down whatever you wish to throw." 43 So they cast down their cords and their rods and said: By Firon's power, we shall most surely be victorious. 44 Then Moses threw down his staff, and it swallowed up all that they had conjured into being. 45 And the sorcerers fell down prostrate. 46 [and] exclaimed: "We have come to believe in the Sustainer of all the worlds, 47 The Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 Said Pharaoh, 'You have believed him before I gave you leave. Why, he is the chief of you, the same that taught you sorcery; now you shall know! I shall assuredly cut off alternately your hands and feet, then I shall crucify you all together.' 49 They said: "We do not care, for we are bound to return to our Lord, 50 We are eager that Our Lord should forgive us our offenses, for we are the first of the believers' 51