Said he to the Council about him, 'Surely this man is a cunning sorcerer 34 who wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery. What, then, do you advise?" 35 They said: "Detain him and his brother for a while and send forth heralds 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 gather 39 We may perhaps follow the religion of the magicians if they triumph." 40 When the magicians came, they asked Pharaoh, "Shall we have a reward, if we are the winners?" 41 He said: Aye, and ye will then surely be of those brought near (to me). 42 Moses said to them: 'Cast down what you cast' 43 Then they cast their cords and their staves, and said: by the might of Fir'awn, verily we! we shall be the winners. 44 Therefore Moosa put forth his staff – so it immediately began swallowing all their fabrications. 45 The magicians fell down prostrate, 46 And said: "We (affirm and) believe in the Lord of all the worlds, 47 The Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 [Pharaoh] said, "You believed Moses before I gave you permission. Indeed, he is your leader who has taught you magic, but you are going to know. I will surely cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will surely crucify you all." 49 They said: no harm! verily unto our Lord 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