Pharaoh said to the chiefs around him, "Surely this man is a skilful sorcerer. 34 "His plan is to get you out of your land by his sorcery; then what is it ye counsel?" 35 They said: "Detain him and his brother for a while and send forth heralds to the cities 36 who shall assemble before thee all sorcerers of great knowledge" 37 So the sorcerers were gathered on the appointed day 38 and the people were asked: Are you all present, 39 That we might follow the magicians if they are the predominant?" 40 When the magicians came, they asked Pharaoh, "Shall we have a reward, if we are the winners?" 41 He said: "Yes, and you shall then verily be of those brought near (to myself)." 42 Moses said to them: 'Cast down what you cast' 43 So they threw down their ropes and their staves and exclaimed, “By the honour of Firaun, indeed victory is ours!” 44 [But] then Moses threw his staff - and lo! it swallowed up all their deceptions. 45 so the sorcerers were cast down, bowing themselves. 46 And said: "We (affirm and) believe in the Lord of all the worlds, 47 The Lord of Musa and Harun. 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 They said: No harm; surely to our Lord we go back; 50 We are eager that our Lord should forgive us our offences, for that we are the first of the believers.' 51