Said [pharaoh] unto the great ones around him: "Verily, this is indeed a sorcerer of great knowledge 34 "His plan is to get you out of your land by his sorcery; then what is it ye counsel?" 35 They said: Put him off, (him) and his brother, and send into the cities summoners 36 to mobilise all skilled magicians." 37 So all the magicians gathered together at the appointed time 38 and the people were told, "Will you also gather together, 39 (They said): Aye, so that we may follow the wizards if they are the winners. 40 And when the wizards came they said unto Pharaoh: Will there surely be a reward for us if we are the winners? 41 He said: "Yes, and you shall then verily be of those brought near (to myself)." 42 Moses said to the magicians, "Throw down whatever you are going to throw." 43 So they cast down their ropes and staffs, and said, "By Pharaoh's honour, we shall surely win." 44 Then Moses threw his staff and lo! it swallowed that which they did falsely show. 45 Thereupon the magicians fell down in prostration, 46 saying: "We (now) believe in the Lord of the Universe, 47 the Sustainer of Moses and Aaron!" 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; surely unto our Lord we are turning. 50 Verily we long that our Lord shall forgive us our faults because we have been the first of the believers 51