Pharaoh said to the nobles around him: "Surely this man is a skilled magician 34 "His plan is to get you out of your land by his sorcery; then what is it ye counsel?" 35 They said, "Hold him and his brother off for a while 36 to mobilise all skilled magicians." 37 And so the sorcerers were assembled at a set time on a certain day, 38 And it was said to the people: Will you gather together? 39 Haply we shall follow the sorcerers if it should be they are the victors.' 40 Then when the magicians came, they said unto Fir'awn: will there surely be a big hire for us if we are the winners? 41 Answered he: "Yea - and verily, in that case you shall be among those who are near unto me. 42 Moses said to them: "Throw down whatever you wish to throw." 43 Then they threw down their cords and their staves and said: By Pharaoh's might, lo! we verily are the winners. 44 Then Moses cast down his staff and it swallowed up their lying invention, 45 And down fell the sorcerers, prostrating themselves in adoration, 46 saying, "We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, 47 the Lord of Moses and Aaron." 48 Said (Pharaoh): "Believe ye in Him before I give you permission? surely he is your leader, who has taught you sorcery! but soon shall ye know! Be sure I will cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will cause you all to die on the cross!" 49 They answered: "No harm [canst thou do to us]: verily, unto our Sustainer do we turn! 50 Behold, we [but] ardently desire that our Sustainer forgive us our faults in return for our having been foremost among the believers!" 51