The Pharaoh said to the people around him, "He is certainly a skillful magician. 34 Who would drive you out of your land by his magic. Now what counsel ye? 35 They said, "Let him and his brother wait a while, and send heralds into the cities, 36 “To bring to you every expert great magician.” 37 So the magicians were brought together on a particular day at a set time 38 And it was said to the people: "Are you (too) going to assemble? 39 We may perhaps follow the religion of the magicians if they triumph." 40 When the magicians came forth (for the encounter) they said to Pharaoh: "Is there a reward for us if we triumph?" 41 He said: "Yes, and you shall then verily be of those brought near (to myself)." 42 Moses said to them: "Cast what you have to cast." 43 So they threw down their ropes and their staves and exclaimed, “By the honour of Firaun, indeed victory is ours!” 44 Then Moses cast down his staff and suddenly it swallowed up what they had falsely invented. 45 The magicians therefore fell down prostrate. 46 saying: "We (now) believe in the Lord of the Universe, 47 "The Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 Said [Pharaoh]: "Have you come to believe in him ere I have given you permission? Verily, he must be your master who has taught you magic! But in time you shall come to know [my revenge]: most certainly shall I cut off your hands and your feet in great numbers, because of [your] perverseness, and shall most certainly crucify you in great numbers, all together!" 49 They said: No harm; surely to our Lord we go back; 50 "Only, our desire is that our Lord will forgive us our faults, that we may become foremost among the believers!" 51