[Pharaoh] said to the eminent ones around him, "Indeed, this is a learned magician. 34 who desires to expel you from your land by his sorcery; what do you command?' 35 They said: put off him and his brother, and send unto the cities callers. 36 That they should bring to you every skillful magician. 37 So the sorcerers were gathered on the appointed day 38 and the people were told: "Will you join the assembly? 39 "That we may follow the sorcerers (in religion) if they win?" 40 And when the wizards came they said unto Pharaoh: Will there surely be a reward for us if we are the winners? 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, "Throw whatever you will throw." 43 Thereupon they threw down their ropes and their rods, and said: "By the glory of Pharaoh, we shall prevail." 44 Then Moses threw his staff, and at once it devoured what they falsified. 45 The magicians fell down in adoration 46 saying: "We (now) believe in the Lord of the Universe, 47 "The Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 He (Pharaoh) said: 'You have believed him before I have given you permission. He is the chief of you who has taught you sorcery. But you shall know. I will surely cut off on opposite sides a hand and a foot, and crucify you all.' 49 They said: It is no hurt, for lo! unto our Lord we shall return. 50 We are eager that Our Lord should forgive us our offenses, for we are the first of the believers' 51