Pharaoh said to the nobles around him: "Surely this man is a skilled magician 34 He wants to drive you out of your land by his magic, so what do you advise?" 35 They replied: 'Put him and his brother off for a while, and send heralds to your cities 36 who shall bring to you every skilful sorcerer." 37 So the magicians were gathered at a set time on a day appointed. 38 and the people were asked: Are you all present, 39 Haply we shall follow the sorcerers if it should be they are the victors.' 40 Now when the sorcerers came, they said unto Pharaoh: "Verily, we ought to have a great reward if it is we who prevail. 41 "Yes," he replied. "You 'will be among the honoured." 42 Musa (Moses) said to them: "Throw what you are going to throw!" 43 So they threw their ropes and their sticks, and said: "By the might of Fir'aun (Pharaoh), it is we who will certainly win!" 44 Then Moses cast down his staff and it swallowed up their lying invention, 45 Thereupon the magicians fell down in prostration, 46 saying: "We (now) believe in the Lord of the Universe, 47 the Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 Pharaoh said: "You accepted the word of Moses even before I granted you the leave to do so. Surely he is your chief who has taught you magic. Soon shall you come to know. I shall cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides and shall crucify all of you." 49 They said, "It does not matter. We shall be returning to our Lord. 50 We hope that our Lord will forgive us for our sins; we were not believers at first." 51