The Pharaoh said to the people around him, "He is certainly a skillful magician. 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, "Let him and his brother wait a while, and send heralds into the cities, 36 Who will bring you every learned, skilled magician." 37 So the sorcerers were assembled for the appointed time of a fixed day. 38 And it was said unto the people: are ye going to assemble. 39 so that we may follow the magicians, if they be the winners." 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 He said: Yes, and surely you will then be of those who are made near. 42 Moses said to them: 'Cast down what you cast' 43 So they threw their ropes and their staffs and said, "By the might of Pharaoh, indeed it is we who are predominant." 44 Then Musa cast down his staff, and lo! it swallowed up that which they had devised. 45 And the wizards were flung prostrate, 46 saying, "We believe in the Lord of the Universe 47 The Lord of Musa and Haroun. 48 Said Pharaoh, 'You have believed him before I gave you leave. Why, he is the chief of you, the same that taught you sorcery; now you shall know! I shall assuredly cut off alternately your hands and feet, then I shall crucify you all together.' 49 They said, "There is no harm. To our Lord we shall return. 50 Indeed, we aspire that our Lord will forgive us our sins because we were the first of the believers." 51