The nobles of Pharaoh said: "He surely is a clever magician. 109 who wants to drive you out of your land! " [Said Pharaoh:] "What, then, do you advise?" 110 They said, 'Put him and his brother off a while, and send among the cities musterers, 111 to bring thee every cunning sorcerer.' 112 And the magicians came to Pharaoh. They said, "Indeed for us is a reward if we are the predominant." 113 "Yes," said he, "you will be among the honoured." 114 They said, "O Moses, either you throw [your staff], or we will be the ones to throw [first]." 115 He replied, "Throw yours first." Their great magic bewitched people's eyes and terrified them. 116 And We revealed to Moses: 'Cast thy staff!' And lo, it forthwith swallowed up their lying invention. 117 ۞ So the truth was established, and what they did became null. 118 Thus there and then they were vanquished and overthrown, humiliated. 119 And the sorcerers were cast down, bowing themselves. 120 They said: We believe in the Lord of the worlds, 121 the Lord of Moses and Aaron." 122 Said Pharaoh: "Have you come to believe in him ere I have given you permission? Behold, this is indeed a plot which you have cunningly devised in this [my] city in order to drive out its people hence! But in time you shall come to know, [my revenge]: 123 "Surely, I will cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, then I will crucify you all." 124 They replied: 'We shall surely return to our Lord. 125 And you do not take revenge on us except because we have believed in the communications of our Lord when they came to us! Our Lord: Pour out upon us patience and cause us to die in submission. 126