Said [pharaoh] unto the great ones around him: "Verily, this is indeed a sorcerer of great knowledge 34 Who desires to turn you out of your land with his magic; what is it then that you advise? 35 They said: "Detain him and his brother for a while and send forth heralds to the cities 36 and summon every skillful magician from all the cities." 37 And so the sorcerers were assembled at a set time on a certain day, 38 The people were asked, 'Will you assemble? 39 so that we may follow the magicians, if they be the winners." 40 So when the sorcerers arrived, they said to Fir'aun (Pharaoh): "Will there surely be a reward for us 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 down their ropes and staffs saying, "By the honor of the Pharaoh we shall certainly become the winners". 44 Then Musa cast down his staff, and lo! it swallowed up that which they had devised. 45 Then did the sorcerers fall down, prostrate in adoration, 46 saying: 'We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, 47 "The Lord of Musa (Moses) and Harun (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 They said, "It does not matter. We shall be returning to our Lord. 50 Behold, we [but] ardently desire that our Sustainer forgive us our faults in return for our having been foremost among the believers!" 51