Pharaoh said to the nobles around him: "Surely this man is a skilled magician 34 who desires to expel you from your land by his sorcery; what do you command?' 35 They said, "Let him and his brother wait a while, and send heralds into the cities, 36 to mobilise all skilled magicians." 37 So the sorcerers were assembled at a fixed time on a day appointed. 38 And it was said to the people: "Are you (too) going to assemble? 39 "That we may follow the sorcerers [who were on Fir'aun's (Pharaoh) religion of disbelief] if they are the winners." 40 When the magicians came, they asked Pharaoh, "Shall we have a reward, if we are the winners?" 41 Answered he: "Yea - and verily, in that case you shall be among those who are near unto me. 42 Musa (Moses) said to them: "Throw what you are going to throw!" 43 So they cast their ropes and their staffs, and said, 'By the might of Pharaoh we shall be the victors.' 44 Then Moses threw down his staff, and it swallowed up all that they had conjured into being. 45 Then did the sorcerers fall down, prostrate in adoration, 46 saying: 'We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, 47 The Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 Said (Pharaoh): "Believe ye in Him before I give you permission? surely he is your leader, who has taught you sorcery! but soon shall ye know! Be sure I will cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will cause you all to die on the cross!" 49 They said: "No harm! Surely, to our Lord (Allah) we are to return; 50 We are eager that our Lord should forgive us our offences, for that we are the first of the believers.' 51