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 sorcery, then what is it your counsel, and what do you command?" 35 They said: put off him and his brother, and send unto the cities callers. 36 who shall bring to you every skilful sorcerer." 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 Haply we may follow the magicians, if they are the vanquishers. 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, indeed' he answered, 'and you shall become among those who are near stationed' 42 Moses said to them, 'Cast you down what you will cast.' 43 Then they threw down their cords and their staves and said: By Pharaoh's might, lo! we verily are the winners. 44 [But] then Moses threw his staff - and lo! it swallowed up all their deceptions. 45 Then the magicians fell prostrating in adoration, 46 saying, "We 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: no harm! verily unto our Lord we are to return. 50 Verily we long that our Lord shall forgive us our faults because we have been the first of the believers 51