The Pharaoh said to the people around him, "He is certainly a skillful magician. 34 Who desires to turn you out of your land with his magic; what is it then that you advise? 35 They answered: "Let him and his brother wait a while, and send unto all cities heralds 36 to mobilise all skilled magicians." 37 The sorcerers were gathered at the appointed time on a wellknown day, 38 And the people were told: "Are ye (now) assembled?- 39 That we might follow the magicians if they are the predominant?" 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 you shall then verily be of those brought near (to myself)." 42 (Moses) asked the magicians, "Cast down what you want to". 43 So they threw their ropes and their rods, and said: "By the might of Pharaoh, it is we who will certainly win!" 44 Then Moses threw down his staff, and it swallowed up all that they had conjured into being. 45 And the magicians were thrown down prostrate; 46 They said, 'We believe in the Lord of all Being, 47 "The Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 The Pharaoh said, "You believed without my permission? He seems to be your chief who has taught you magic. But you will soon know (the result of what you have done). I shall certainly cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides and crucify you all together." 49 They said: "No harm! Surely, to our Lord (Allah) we are to return; 50 Surely we hope that our Lord will forgive us our wrongs because we are the first of the believers. 51