The nobles of Pharaoh said: "He surely is a clever magician. 109 He would drive you forth from your land; so what is it that ye enjoin? 110 They said, 'Put him and his brother off a while, and send among the cities musterers, 111 "That they bring up to you all well-versed sorcerers." 112 And the sorcerers came to Pharaoh, saying, 'We shall surely have a wage, if we should be the victors?' 113 Answered [Pharaoh]: "Yes; and verily, you shall be among those who are near unto me." 114 They said, "Moses, will you first throw, or shall we?" 115 He said: cast ye. Then when they cast down, they enchanted the eyes of the people, and terrified them and brought mighty magic to bear. 116 And We revealed to Moses: 'Cast thy staff!' And lo, it forthwith swallowed up their lying invention. 117 ۞ Thus the truth was upheld, and the falsehood that they practised was exposed. 118 The magicians who were defeated on the spot and were proved to be worthless, 119 The sorcerers fell to the ground in homage, 120 saying, "We declare our belief in the Lord of the Universe, 121 "The Lord of Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron)." 122 Said Pharaoh: "Believe ye in Him before I give you permission? Surely this is a trick which ye have planned in the city to drive out its people: but soon shall ye know (the consequences). 123 Surely I will cut off your hands and feet on the opposite sides and thereafter I will crucify you all. 124 They said, "Indeed, to our Lord we will return. 125 And you do not resent us except because we believed in the signs of our Lord when they came to us. Our Lord, pour upon us patience and let us die as Muslims [in submission to You]." 126