Said [pharaoh] unto the great ones around him: "Verily, this is indeed a sorcerer of great knowledge 34 who wants to drive you out of your land by his magic. Tell us, what do you advise us?" 35 They said: "Put him and his brother off awhile, and send summoners to the cities to gather 36 to bring thee every cunning sorcerer. 37 The sorcerers were gathered at the appointed time on a wellknown day, 38 And it was said to the people: "Are you (too) going to assemble? 39 "That we may follow the sorcerers (in religion) if they win?" 40 When the magicians came forth (for the encounter) they said to Pharaoh: "Is there a reward for us if we triumph?" 41 He said: "Yea, (and more),- for ye shall in that case be (raised to posts) nearest (to my person)." 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 [But] then Moses threw his staff - and lo! it swallowed up all their deceptions. 45 Then did the sorcerers fall down, prostrate in adoration, 46 [and] exclaimed: "We have come to believe in the Sustainer of all the worlds, 47 "The Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 Fir'awn said: ye believed in him ere I gave you leave. Verily he is your chief who hath taught you magic, so ye shall surely come to know. Surely I shall cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides and surely I shall crucify you all. 49 They said, "There is no harm. To our Lord we shall return. 50 We hope that our Lord will forgive us for our sins; we were not believers at first." 51