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 who shall assemble before thee all sorcerers of great knowledge" 37 So the magicians were brought together on a particular day at a set time 38 And it was said unto the people: are ye going to assemble. 39 We may perhaps follow the religion of the magicians if they triumph." 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 "Yes," he replied. "You 'will be among the honoured." 42 Moses said to them: "Throw ye - that which ye are about to throw!" 43 So they threw their ropes and their rods, and said: "By the might of Pharaoh, it is we who will certainly win!" 44 Then Moses threw his staff and lo! it swallowed that which they did falsely show. 45 And down fell the sorcerers, prostrating themselves in adoration, 46 They said, "We have believed in the Lord of the worlds, 47 The Lord of Musa and Harun. 48 Said he: You believe in him before I give you permission; most surely he is the chief of you who taught you the magic, so you shall know: certainly I will cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and certainly I will crucify you all. 49 They said: no harm! verily unto our Lord we are to return. 50 We hope that our Lord will forgive us for our sins; we were not believers at first." 51