The Pharaoh said to the chiefs around him: "He is certainly a clever magician. 34 Who desires to turn you out of your land with his magic; what is it then that you advise? 35 They said, "Hold him and his brother off for a while 36 who shall bring to you every skilful sorcerer." 37 So the magicians were assembled at a stated time and place on an appointed day. 38 and the people were told: "Will you join the assembly? 39 so that we might follow [in the footsteps of] the sorcerers if it is they who prevail?" 40 When the magicians came, they asked Pharaoh, "Shall we have a reward, if we are the winners?" 41 He said: "Yes, you will then become those near-stationed to me." 42 Moses said to them: "Cast what you have to cast." 43 Thereupon they threw down their ropes and their rods, and said: "By the glory of Pharaoh, we shall prevail." 44 Then Musa cast down his staff, and lo! it swallowed up that which they had devised. 45 And down fell the sorcerers, prostrating themselves in adoration, 46 saying: "We (now) believe in the Lord of the Universe, 47 The Lord of Musa and Harun. 48 Pharaoh said, "Have you come to believe in him, before I have given you permission? He is surely your master who has taught you magic. But you shall see. I will cut off your hands and feet on alternate sides and crucify you all." 49 They said: It is no hurt, for lo! unto our Lord we shall return. 50 "Verily! We really hope that our Lord will forgive us our sins, as we are the first of the believers [in Musa (Moses) and in the Monotheism which he has brought from Allah]." 51