Pharaoh said to the chiefs around him, "Surely this man is a skilful sorcerer. 34 "He wants to drive you out of your land by his sorcery, then what is it your counsel, and what do you command?" 35 They said, 'Put him and his brother off a while, and send among the cities musterers, 36 to mobilise all skilled magicians." 37 The sorcerers were gathered at the appointed time on a wellknown day, 38 and the people were asked: 'Will you gather 39 (They said): Aye, so that we may follow the wizards if they are the winners. 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 what you have to cast." 43 So they cast their ropes and rods, and said: "By the glory of Pharaoh, we shall be victorious." 44 [But] then Moses threw his staff - and lo! it swallowed up all their deceptions. 45 The magicians fell down in adoration 46 They said, "We have believed in the Lord of the worlds, 47 the Sustainer of Moses and Aaron!" 48 Said (the Pharaoh): "You have come to believe in him before I gave you leave. He is surely your chief, who taught you magic. You will soon come to know: I will have your hands and feet cut off on alternate sides, and have every one of you crucified." 49 They said: It is no hurt, for lo! unto our Lord we shall return. 50 Behold, we [but] ardently desire that our Sustainer forgive us our faults in return for our having been foremost among the believers!" 51