The Pharaoh said to the people around him, "He is certainly a skillful magician. 34 who wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery. What, then, do you advise?" 35 They said, "Postpone [the matter of] him and his brother and send among the cities gatherers 36 "And bring up to thee all (our) sorcerers well-versed." 37 So the sorcerers were assembled for the appointed time of a fixed day. 38 And it was said to the people: Will you gather together? 39 in order that we shall follow the sorcerers if they are the victors' 40 "When the magicians came, they asked the Pharaoh, "Will there be any reward for us if we win?" 41 He said, 'Yes indeed; and you shall then be among the near-stationed.' 42 Musa said to them: Cast what you are going to cast. 43 So they threw their ropes and their sticks, and said: "By the might of Fir'aun (Pharaoh), it is we who will certainly win!" 44 Then Moses cast down his staff and it swallowed up their lying invention, 45 The magicians fell down prostrate, 46 saying: "We (now) believe in the Lord of the Universe, 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 'There is no harm' they replied, 'for surely to our Lord we are turning. 50 "Only, our desire is that our Lord will forgive us our faults, that we may become foremost among the believers!" 51