The Pharaoh said to the chiefs around him: "He is certainly a clever magician. 34 Who would drive you out of your land by his magic. Now what counsel ye? 35 They said, "Hold him and his brother off for a while 36 who shall assemble before thee all sorcerers of great knowledge" 37 So the magicians were brought together on a particular day at a set time 38 and the people were told, "Will you also gather together, 39 Haply we may follow the magicians, if they are the vanquishers. 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 [And] Moses said unto them: "Throw whatever you are going to throw!" 43 So they cast their ropes and their staffs, and said, 'By the might of Pharaoh we shall be the victors.' 44 Thereafter, Moses threw down his rod and behold, it went about swallowing up all the false devices they had contrived. 45 And down fell the sorcerers, prostrating themselves in adoration, 46 saying: "We (now) believe in the Lord of the Universe, 47 The Lord of Musa and Harun. 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. Indeed, to our Lord we will return. 50 We are eager that Our Lord should forgive us our offenses, for we are the first of the believers' 51